Title
Animals in Healthcare Facilities
Authoring Organization
Publication Month/Year
May 1, 2015
Last Updated Month/Year
October 16, 2024
Supplemental Implementation Tools
Document Type
Consensus
External Publication Status
Published
Country of Publication
US
Document Objectives
This paper aims to provide general guidance to the medical community regarding the management of animals in healthcare (AHC). The manuscript has four major goals:
1. Review and interpret the medical literature regarding risks and evidence for animal-to-human transmission of pathogens in the healthcare setting, along with the potential benefits of animal-assisted activities in healthcare.
2. Review hospital policies related to AHC, as submitted by members of the SHEA Guidelines Committee.
3. Summarize a survey that assessed institutional AHC policies.
4. Offer specific guidance to minimize risks associated with the presence of AHC settings.
Inclusion Criteria
Male, Female, Adolescent, Adult, Child, Older adult
Health Care Settings
Ambulatory, Hospital, Outpatient
Intended Users
Epidemiology infection prevention, healthcare business administration, nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant
Scope
Counseling, Management, Prevention
Keywords
animals, service animals