Infectious agents from the respiratory tract can spread by coughing and sneezing, therefore it is very important that respiratory and cough hygiene is being undertaken by staff, residents and visitors to minimise any risk of cross-infection. 

Any resident displaying symptoms of respiratory illness should be encouraged to wear a fluid resistant surgical face mask (FRSM) whilst outside their room, or when an individual enters their room, if it is clinically safe and can be tolerated by the resident.

What is required for respiratory and cough hygiene is:• access to disposable tissues• a waste bin or waste bag in easy reach• hand hygiene products

An individual who has a cough, cold or other respiratory symptoms  should be advised and encouraged to:

• turn their head away from others when coughing or sneezing
• cover their nose and mouth with a disposable tissue when sneezing, coughing, wiping and/or blowing the nose
• all used tissues and face masks should be placed into a waste bin immediately after use
• wash hands with antimicrobial liquid 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 access to tissues, waste bag and hand hygiene products and make sure that products are in reach 
• 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.