Guidelines for animal-assisted interventions in health care facilities

Infection Prevention and Control Guideline for Cystic Fibrosis: 2013 Update

“…Recommendations for such programs include (1) training programs for the dogs and their owners, (2) stringent criteria for animal vaccinations and cleanliness, and (3) criteria for eligible patients. 287,288 The importance of hand hygiene before and after contact with the animals is emphasized. Patients under Transmission-Based Precautions, those with animal allergies, or children frightened by animals are generally excluded from participation.…”

Risk reduction and management strategies to prevent transmission of infectious disease among dogs at dog shows, sporting events, and other canine group settings

“…As such, a qualitative approach was used. 26 On the basis of summarized disease characteristics and modes of transmission, prevention and control recommendations were developed and grouped into related categories. These categories included general recommendations, vaccination, insect and wildlife control, vector control and vector-borne disease prevention, enteric disease prevention, environmental disinfection and hygiene, additional exclusionary measures, facility design and traffic control, and disease recognition and response.…”

“…An evidence-ranking metric was used to rate the quality of evidence considered in the development of each recommendation (Appendix), similar to one used in the development of other recommendations 26 for infection control and prevention associated with animal activities. The degree of consensus among the authors was categorized as consensus (≥ 70% agreement among authors) or nonconsensus (< 70% agreement).…”

Animals in Healthcare Facilities: Recommendations to Minimize Potential Risks

“…When clear regulatory or legislative mandates exist related to AHC (eg, Americans with Disabilities Act), they are noted. Previous guidelines that have covered some of the issues addressed in this document include the "Guidelines for animal-assisted interventions in healthcare facilities" 3 and the "Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/Healthcare Infection Control and Prevention Advisory Committee Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities." 8 In this document, we use the following definitions:…”

“…2 MRSA is just one of many potential pathogens; a wide range of pathogens exist, including common healthcare-associated pathogens (eg, Clostridium difficile, multidrug-resistant enterococci), emerging infectious diseases (eg, extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae), common zoonotic pathogens (eg, Campylobacter, Salmonella, and dermatophytes), rare but devastating zoonotic pathogens (eg, rabies virus), and pathogens associated with bites and scratches (eg, Pasteurella spp., Capnocytophaga canimorsus, and Bartonella spp.). [2][3][4][5][6][7] This white paper represents an effort to analyze the available data and provide rational guidance for the management of animals in acute care and ambulatory medical facilities, including animal-assisted activities, service animals, research animals, and personal pet visitation. It describes the need for future studies to close the gaps in knowledge about animals in healthcare settings.…”