[Proposed updated isolation precautions guideline in a university teaching hospital in Italy]

Abstract

Significant developments took place in the area of infection control since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC, USA) 1996 publication of a guideline for isolation precautions in hospitals. New guidelines were therefore published by CDC in 2007 (Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings) and by the World Health Organization in 2009 (WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Healthcare). The authors propose an updated guideline that takes into account the new recommendations made by CDC and the WHO in light of the specific requirements of a university teaching hospital.