Infection Prevention Solutions
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE FOR CARE STAFF DURING VIRAL GASTROENTERITIS OUTBREAKS • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Ensure thorough and frequent washing of hands with soap and water between all care activities and after contact with service users immediate environment Wear gloves and aprons for service user contact and environmental / equipment cleaning Change gloves and aprons between service users / tasks Clean up and disinfect spillages of vomit and faeces immediately Pay particular attention to the cleaning of toilets/commodes, moving and handling equipment, seat raisers etc. Increase the frequency of routine bathroom and toilet cleaning and also cleaning of frequently touched areas (door handles, phones etc.) This also includes the dirty utility area Disinfect surfaces and equipment using freshly prepared 0.1% (1000ppm) chlorine-releasing agent after cleaning with neutral detergent Alternatively use a combined detergent/chlorine-based disinfectant e.g. Chlor- Clean or Actichlor Plus for surfaces and equipment Ensure waste and contaminated laundry are handled with care wearing protective clothing and removed promptly. Red alginate bags to be used for fouled laundry; orange/yellow bags for infectious waste Keep outbreak record sheet up-to-date on a daily basis Isolate symptomatic service users or cohort nurse groups of affected service users in the same bay / area Avoid movement of staff between affected and unaffected areas Exclude affected staff immediately and until asymptomatic for 48 hours Exclude non-essential personnel from the facility including visitors Avoid transfer to other facilities i.e. day centres, rehabilitation units unless medically indicated and only after consultation Do not re-open facility to admissions until agreed with local HPU usually 48 hours after last symptomatic service user or staff member Communicate effectively and regularly to all who need to know including visitors. Provide notices at entrances indicating restrictions If in doubt, contact local Infection Control Advisor or local HPU for guidance and support
xxxxxx Issue Date: 00/00/0000 Review Date: 31/05/2016
Management of an outbreak of viral gastro-intestinal illness Infection Prevention Solutions ©2021 Page 8 of 8
