Infections can spread by coughing and sneezing, therefore it is very important that respiratory and cough hygiene is used by everyone including staff, residents and visitors.

Any resident displaying symptoms of respiratory illness should be encouraged to wear a surgical (for instance TYPE IIR FRSM) face mask where it is clinically safe and can be tolerated by the wearer, especially in communal areas.

 

What you need for respiratory and cough hygiene• disposable tissues• waste bin and waste bags• hand hygiene products

If a resident has a cough, cold or other respiratory symptoms then they should be supported and encouraged to:

• cover their nose and mouth with a disposable tissue when sneezing, coughing, wiping and/or blowing the nose.  If a disposable tissue is not available encourage the use of elbow/sleeve to cover the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
• put used tissues and face masks into a waste bin immediately after use
• wash their hands with soap and water after coughing, sneezing, using tissues, or after contact with respiratory secretions or objects contaminated by these secretions
• keep contaminated hands away from the eyes nose and mouth

 

Staff should:

• promote respiratory and cough hygiene and help residents who need assistance
• ensure that residents are provided with the necessary products for respiratory and cough hygiene including tissues, waste bag and hand hygiene products and make sure that products are in close vicinity for the resident to access 
• use hand wipes followed by hand rub if there is no running water available or if hand hygiene facilities are out of reach then wash hands at the first available opportunity.

 

Read the respiratory and cough hygiene literature review to find out the evidence for respiratory and cough hygiene practice.