Infection-control measures for health care of patients with acute respiratory diseases in community settings – Trainer’s Guide and Trainees Guide

Recent epidemics of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), have demonstrated the critical importance of effective infection-control measures in health care. Infected patients, in health-care facilities and in the community, represent the main source of respiratory pathogens and their subsequent transmission. Adoption of safe practices by health-care workers to control the spread of infection both in healthcare settings and at home  will improve their capacity to deliver care and avoid unnecessary disruption to health services in the event of an epidemic. This in turn would mitigate the impact of other diseases (e.g. diarrhoea, malaria), which, if improperly managed, may produce further morbidity and mortality during epidemics.

The purpose of the trainers document is to provide trainers with material for training community health workers (CHWs) and other HCWs on the safe care of patients with ARDs at home and in community clinics.  The trainees document is intended for community health workers (CHWs) and other HCWs providing care for patients with ARDs and advice on safe care in the home for the families of the patients.

The document presents information about certain kinds of ARDs, such as SARS and avian influenza, because these are of potential international concern as risks to global public health, but also includes information that applies to all ARDs. The guidance includes instructions on the use of personal protection (e.g. masks, gloves), environmental controls (e.g. cleaning and disinfection, ventilation, waste management) and other strategies (e.g. hand-washing, cough etiquette, distancing of patients) to reduce the risk of exposure.

The documents can be downloaded from http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/WHO_HSE_GAR_BDP_2009_1/en/