Information and Guidance for Public Commenting at the August 22nd HICPAC meeting
What is happening?
HICPAC, a committee that provides advice and guidance to CDC, plans to update Isolation Precautions Guideline
The Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) is an appointed committee that provides advice and guidance to the CDC regarding the practice of infection control and strategies for surveillance, prevention, and control of healthcare-associated infections. The committee has been working on revising the CDC’s Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings, a foundational guidance that was last updated in 2007. Current proposals indicate a failure to adequately incorporate current best practices for protection against the transmission of airborne infection, putting everyone at unnecessary risk.
Comment at the next public HICPAC meeting
We urge folks to register here to comment at the next HICPAC meeting. This meeting will be held virtually and is scheduled for August 22nd, 2023 from 12-2:30 pm ET. The deadline to register is Thursday August 17th!
Written comments can also be submitted, see additional information for guidance.
What to include in comments?
Personalized comments of impact and in support of expert recommendations
We are encouraging everyone to comment during this period to ensure that HICPAC knows what the public is experiencing and feels is important to address in this matter, especially the personal impacts of weak infection control and how the failure to address these concerns will cause further harm. We don’t know how long people will have for commenting, but currently suggest keeping comments to under ~350 words to ensure it can be delivered in full.
Suggestions of what else to include in comment
- Need for transparency in HICPAC's planning and for involvement on development from stakeholders including patients, personnel, and other experts
- Must fully recognize aerosol/inhalation transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other infectious aerosols and describe in detail the proposed “air” transmission category
- Updated guidance should include the use of multiple control measures that have been shown to effectively prevent transmission of infectious aerosols, including ventilation, isolation, respiratory protection, and other PPE
- Establish universal masking with N95s as minimum requirement
- Track hospital-acquired infections
- Delay voting on guidance until these matters have been addressed
- The lack of proper infection control measures is an equity issue as Black, Native American, and disabled folks are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and other infectious diseases
Comment for example
A mammogram, a DEXA scan, a hysterectomy, medicine infusions, and many important screenings. Those are some of the needed medical procedures I have been unable to pursue just this year as medical settings become less accessible due to the risk of contracting serious illness while seeking care. Without robust protection from airborne disease many will continue forgoing crucial medical care. This is something you have the ability to change. We need strong proposals that reflect the best current knowledge on significantly reducing transmission, not simply what's minimally viable. Please include those most impacted in more open discussions, please listen to the experts who have recommended effective measures of preventing transmission, and delay voting until these actions are taken.
Additional information and resources
More information, including details about submitting a written comment
NNU - Information and Talking Points for August 22 meeting
Letter to CDC Director Mandy Cohen from experts and public
One Step Forward, 2 Back: CDC's Proposals for Infection Control in Health Care Facilities
NNU Sign-up for Info on Commenting at the August 2023 HICPAC Meeting
Isolation Precautions Guideline Draft - June 2023
Thank you!
For any questions, contact us at PanEndIt@protonmail.com
Link to this guide bit.ly/3YsilbT