Infection Prevention Solutions
REPORTING STRUCTURE
Senior Manager / Lead Nurse / Clinician /Occupational Health Adviser (Identifying possible/probable outbreak)
Infection Control Advisor
Health Protection Unit on call team
ACTION WHEN SUSPECTING AN OUTBREAK OF INFECTION All outbreaks of suspected or confirmed infection must be reported through the line manager and to the designated infection control advisor (if in post). Once an outbreak is suspected then the first step is to liaise with the local HPU who will provide guidance on the appropriate steps to be taken. Local arrangements for ongoing support and guidance vary. In some areas the local HPU will undertake this function; in other areas it may be the local IPC teams in the acute hospital or community trust as well as local GPs with whom residents are registered. All senior staff should have easy access to local phone numbers which should be documented. Local teams contact details can be obtained here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/contacts-phe-health-protection-teams
OUTBREAK MANAGEMENT TEAM Only large outbreaks (or those involving more than one facility) will require an outbreak control team to be convened and in the case of a care home, this requirement will be decided by the local HPU. If convened, membership of the Outbreak Control Team will usually include the following: • • • • • • • • • • • •
IC Advisor / IC lead HPU Consultant in UK Health Security Agency (usually the Chair) Environmental Health if required (food poisoning only) HPU health protection nurse Communications Manager if required Relevant physician/GP/health care professional Senior manager of area(s) concerned Pharmacist if required Estates and Facilities Housekeeping Occupational Health Advisor Other members as deemed appropriate
Sample Issue Date: 01/10/2022 Review Date: 30/09/2024
Recognition and management of an outbreak of infection Infection Prevention Solutions ©2022 Page 2 of 4
