PPE Guidance for Home Health & Hospice Providers-Updated: September 2025
Staying current on state and federal infection-control requirements for home care clinicians
2025–2026 Respiratory Season: PPE & Infection Control Guidance
As we enter the 2025–2026 respiratory season, the Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts has reviewed the latest infection control guidance from both the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and the CDC.
Key Updates
- DPH September 2025 update focused on vaccine recommendations and guidance on exposure and/or infection of respiratory viruses; PPE protocols remain unchanged.
- The most current Massachusetts PPE guidance is still the May 5, 2023 update.
- The CDC’s latest infection control guidance was issued/updated in June 2024.
Agencies should continue to align PPE policies, staff education, and infection control procedures with these references.
One-Page PPE Guidance Tool
To support your teams, we’ve prepared a clear and updated one-page PPE Guidance tool for reference. This resource includes recommended PPE, donning/doffing protocols, and considerations for aerosol-generating procedures and agency-level risk assessments.
Recommended PPE for Clinicians Caring for COVID-19 Positive Patients
| Item | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Respirator | Fit-tested N95 or higher (e.g., PAPR or elastomeric respirator) for direct care. |
| Eye Protection | Goggles or face shield during close contact or potential droplet exposure. |
| Gown | Long-sleeve isolation or disposable gown when contact with patient/surfaces. |
| Gloves | Non-sterile exam gloves for all patient care activities. |
| Patient Masking | Encourage patients (if able) to wear a medical mask during visits. |
Additional Considerations
- Aerosol-Generating Procedures: Use full enhanced PPE and optimize ventilation in the home.
- Donning & Doffing Protocols: Clinicians must follow proper sequences and perform hand hygiene to prevent self-contamination.
- Agency Risk Assessments: Maintain a scalable PPE policy to respond to surges in community respiratory virus activity.
References
- Massachusetts DPH – Guidance for Health Care Personnel with a Respiratory Viral Pathogen Infection or Exposure (Effective Sept. 1, 2025)
- Massachusetts DPH – Comprehensive PPE Guidance (Effective May 5, 2023)
- CDC – Infection Control Guidance: SARS-CoV-2 (Updated 2024/2025)
- Download the HCA PPE Guidance Resource Tool
Powered By GrowthZone