Final answer:
Healthcare facilities should maintain a distance of six feet between symptomatic persons and others in common areas. Isolation, covering sneezes and coughs with tissues, and strict hygiene protocols are crucial to prevent the spread of infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
If there is an increase in respiratory infections in the community, healthcare facilities should keep symptomatic persons at least six feet away from others in common waiting areas. This distance helps to minimize the risk of airborne transmission, especially considering infections such as COVID-19, which are spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It's also important for symptomatic individuals to practice good hygiene hand washing and to stay home if they are unwell to prevent further spreading the infection.
Infection control measures are critical in healthcare settings. Isolating patients with respiratory infections from others, using tissues to cover their mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, and disposing of the tissues properly can significantly reduce the risk of spreading pathogens. Healthcare facilities are also advised to perform regular disinfection and enforce strict hand hygiene protocols to prevent surface and equipment contamination.