Implementation of respiratory protection measures: Visitors of residential care homes for the elderly.

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the implementation of respiratory protection measures for and by visitors of residential care homes for the elderly in Hong Kong, a territory-wide cross-sectional survey was conducted. A total of 87 infection control officers, 1,763 health care workers, and 520 visitors from 87 homes completed the questionnaires. Rules on respiratory protection for visitors were found to vary across residential care homes for the elderly. Uncooperative visitors and inadequate resources were identified as major barriers in the implementation of such measures for visitors.