The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today published proposed guidance that would update and replace previous seasonal and H1N1flu infection control guidance for health care facilities. The guidance emphasizes the importance of vaccination and steps to minimize the potential for exposure, such as: respiratory hygiene, management of ill health care workers, assessment of visitors for flu, droplet and aerosol generating procedure precautions, surveillance, and environmental and engineering controls. Among other precautions, the CDC recommends that health care professionals don a facemask when entering the room of a patient with suspected or confirmed flu, and wear a fitted N95 respirator or higher level protection when performing aerosol generating procedures on patients. Roslyne Schulman, AHA director of policy development, applauded the proposed new guidance, especially the focus on vaccination of health care personnel as a first line of defense and the revised recommendations for use of facemasks for close patient contact. The AHA had urged the CDC to revise its infection control guidelines for H1N1 flu to reflect the most recent data on how the virus is transmitted and the limited supply of respirators. The CDC will accept comments on the proposed guidance through July 22 and intends to publish final guidance before the 2010-2011 flu season.