Ask the expert: Aquariums and waiting rooms

By: David LaHoda May 29th, 2009

Q: Is an aquarium allowed in the waiting room of a medical office?

A: The CDC Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities does not prohibit aquariums in waiting areas. However, it recommends against having such features in patient care areas.

The guidelines say to establish regular cleaning policies for the aquarium and to assign the cleaning task to a nonpatient-care staff member.

See the OSHA Healthcare Advisor Tools page to download an infection control survey specific to physician offices.

« Notes From the field: What’s that smell; why are my eyes burning? | Home | Medical Environment Update—Injecting entertainment into annual safety retraining »

David LaHoda



David LaHoda, the managing editor of Medical Environment Update and OSHA Watch, has produced healthcare training videos and consulted for medical practices and ambulatory healthcare facilities.

David has written 196 posts.

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