Management of In-patients with Loose Stools ... - NHS Lanarkshire

Note: Completion
of Review
Bankaide
NHS Lanarkshire
Health Protection Committee
Section E1
Effective From Sep 2010
Replaces Jun 2010
Pages 11 of 31
SECTION E 1 - Management of In-patients with
Loose Stools: Gastrointestinal Outbreak
Review Date March 2013
Health Protection Committee approved review date extension to March 2013
THE CLINICIAN OR GENERAL PRACTITIONER ON DUTY/ON CALL WILL INFORM:
Consultant in charge of patients
THE FACILITIES/DOMESTIC SERVICES MANAGER OR DEPUTY ON CALL WILL
INFORM (IF APPLICABLE):
The Domestic Manager/deputy
Catering Manager
Estates Manager
Head of Portering Services
Where applicable, the decision to close a ward to admissions/transfers will be taken by the
Infection Control Team, in consultation as appropriate with relevant personnel.
The Infection Control Team, in conjunction with relevant clinicians, managers and the
Consultant in Public Health Medicine will jointly decide whether to convene a meeting of an
Outbreak Control Team (Appendix 4). Depending on the nature and extent of the outbreak,
and following completion of the "Infection Control Outbreak/Episode Risk Matrix" (Appendix
5) a decision will be taken whether to initiate the local NHS Lanarkshire Outbreak Plan.
DUTIES OF THE NURSE IN CHARGE OF THE AFFECTED AREA
Ensure that the ward doors are kept closed and that an approved notice indicating that the
ward is closed due to an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting, is placed on the ward door
asking people entering the ward to report to the nurse in charge
Notify relatives as soon as possible of any restrictions in place
Other staff groups should be informed of the outbreak situation e.g. ward Clinical
Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Social workers etc
All relevant information for each affected patient must be documented on the Daily
Outbreak Record Form (Appendix 6). Ensure that ongoing accurate records are maintained
As soon as possible, a specimen of faeces, or if not possible to obtain a faecal sample, a
sample of vomit should be obtained from all patients with symptoms. Other specimens may
be requested at a later date. Staff should complete the Daily Stool Specimen Result Form
(Appendix 7). It is essential that the accompanying request form is filled in as
accurately and as comprehensively as possible (Appendix 2)
Ensure patients, staff and visitors pay strict attention to hand hygiene. A Level Two hand
wash should be practiced by all staff (Section H, Control of Infection Manual) and
Standard Precautions adhered to (Section C, Control of Infection Manual)
E 11