You may have recently received an official looking letter from the Colorado Healthcare Compliance Center (CHCC) indicating that effective immediately all healthcare providers are advised to post at all hand washing facilities a poster reminding all healthcare workers to regularly wash their hands.
Dental offices have been calling the CDA asking if there is a new mandatory regulation requiring such. Below is the due diligence the CDA has done to ascertain whether there is a mandatory requirement and as of this email, it appears that while placing such a poster might be a good idea, it does not appear to be mandatory:
1. Per call to CHCC, they were unable to provide specific regulation that would make providing this poster mandatory. A CHCC representative did indicate that this poster is mandatory if serving food and later indicated that those not in the food industry could ignore the requirement if desired.
2. Per review of the CDC website, there did not appear to be any new regulatory requirement. A follow-up call was made to the CDC distributor for posters, their representative indicated that they have also received calls and they are not aware of any new or mandatory posters. To read the 63 page CDC Department of Health and Human Services 2002 “Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings”, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5116a1.htm
3. If you would like to print a free copy of the poster, go to http://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/materials.htm and “click here to download English version” or you may also order them at this same website $24 for package of 10 posters (or (877) 252-1200). You can also order the poster from CHCC for $19.95 per poster (1-4) at (800) 986-0763.
Feel free to call if you have additional questions.
Jennifer Nieto, Colorado Dental Association
(303) 996-2843 / (800) 343-3010 x103
