The guideline, which was revised by hospital management experts, has been recommended to local health authorities to help guide hospitals across the country, the ministry said.

Early this year when the SARS epidemic broke out, many health workers and medical staff were struck down by the disease while on duty due to the lack of efficient preventative measures.

Renmin Hospital, one of Beijing's biggest hospitals, was sealed off for 20 days due to serious hospital infection.

The ministry has issued three guidelines on prevention and control of SARS infection within hospitals during the first half of this year, based on the anti-SARS experiences of hospitals in Guangdong Province and Beijing.

The current guideline was revised by experts organized by the Chinese Hospital Management Society.

(Xinhua News Agency November 19, 2003)