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. 2023 Sep;44(9):1373-1374.
doi: 10.1017/ice.2023.2. Epub 2023 Feb 10.

Back to the future: Redefining "universal precautions" to include masking for all patient encounters

Ibukunoluwa C Kalu  1 , David K Henderson  2 , David J Weber  3 , Sarah Haessler  4
Affiliations

Back to the future: Redefining "universal precautions" to include masking for all patient encounters

Ibukunoluwa C Kalu et al. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2023 Sep.

Abstract

Despite recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) allowing institutions to relax in-facility masking strategies and due to our evolving understanding of respiratory pathogen transmission during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we propose an updated standard for universal precautions in healthcare settings: permanently including universal masking in routine patient-care interactions. Such a practice prioritizes safety for patients, healthcare providers (HCPs), and visitors.

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Comment in

  • Universal Masking in Health Care Settings.
    Shenoy ES, Doron S, Branch-Elliman W. Shenoy ES, et al. Ann Intern Med. 2023 Dec;176(12):eL230351. doi: 10.7326/L23-0351. Ann Intern Med. 2023. PMID: 38109747 No abstract available.