Preventing infections in health workers

For health facility administrators and managers

Specific IPC measures recommended by WHO to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among health workers include:

• Implement triage, early recognition and source control (isolating suspect and confirmed COVID-19 cases including in long-term care residents)
• Apply standard precautions and additional precautions (droplet-contact) and airborne precautions during aerosol generating procedures
• Implement universal masking policies in healthcare facilities in areas where COVID-19 is spreading, including in common areas where health workers interact
• Train and educate health workers on IPC measures including hand hygiene and PPE use
• Implement appropriate engineering controls including ventilation, plexiglass barriers where appropriate, designated donning and doffing areas and separate entrance ways for staff than those used by patients and visitors where possible. The Roadmap to improve and ensure good indoor ventilation in the context of COVID-19 document provides additional ventilation information for health facilities
• Implement appropriate environmental controls including frequent (2-3 x daily) cleaning and disinfection of both patient and staff areas, focusing on high touch surfaces and cleaning and disinfection of rooms after each outpatient visit. Implement waste management strategies to ensure that potentially contaminated waste (including used PPE) are promptly removed from staff or patient care environments.

Health workers who report an exposure should undergo a thorough risk assessment to determine the nature of the exposure and risk to the health worker. WHO has a Risk assessment tool “Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of COVID-19" to assist in this assessment.

To improve the understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection among health workers, WHO has developed a standardized protocol for COVID-19 surveillance among health workers that countries can use.

For health workers

Steps health workers can take to protect themselves include the following:

• Follow the WHO 5 moments for hand hygiene
  
• Follow the correct steps for putting on and removing Personal Protective Equipment
• Report exposures according to facility policies
• Report symptoms according to facility policies

Health workers who have symptoms should not go to work and should notify their occupational health officer or designate for advice.

If you have had an exposure, the following steps should be taken: 

• Stop working immediately
• Put on a medical mask if you are not already wearing one
• Self-isolate
• Report to your occupational health officer or designate for an assessment and advice on the next steps

Additional tools and resources to support IPC in health care settings.