Study Questions Rigid Use of Social Distancing

Variables among facilities suggest social distances might be pliable

By Dan Hounsell


Social distancing has been one of the building blocks of efforts in the last year to control the spread of the coronavirus. It has dictated the redesign of an array of areas of healthcare facilities from entryways and lobbies to offices and restrooms. Now, one study has called into the question its blanket application in buildings.

Not all indoor settings are the same: ventilation varies, size varies, occupancy varies. Not only that, the activities people perform indoors also vary a lot. So, the 6-foot social distancing protocol — allocated by both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) — doesn’t always apply, according to Infection Control Today.

Investigators with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology argue that their data suggest that things like school closings and occupancy limits might not be necessary in many instances.

Social distancing rules should be pliable: Sometimes facilities need more, and sometimes less will do.



April 28, 2021


Topic Area: Infection Control


Recent Posts

ISSA Introduces Healthcare Platform to Advance Safer, Cleaner Patient Environments

This new resource integrates training, research and cross-sector collaboration to raise care standards and improve patient outcomes.


Third-Party Tracking Settlement is a Compliance Wake-Up Call for Healthcare Facilities Managers

Mount Sinai Health System agrees to a $5.3 million settlement to resolve claims it improperly shared patient data with Facebook through tracking tools.


ECU Health Behavioral Health Hospital Hosts Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for New Facility

The new facility features 144 beds and a healing environment for behavioral health patients.


Aspire Rural Health System Reports Data Security Incident

Upon detecting the unauthorized activity, Aspire immediately worked to contain the incident and launched a thorough investigation.


Fatal Flaws: Strategies for Active Attackers

Anything that goes wrong with the response is the liability exposure of the organization — not the employee and not the police.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.