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

Note: Completion
of Review
NHS Lanarkshire
Health Protection Committee
SECTION E 1 - Management of In-patients with
Loose Stools: Gastrointestinal Outbreak
E 33
Section E1
Effective
From
Sep 2010
Replaces Jun 2010
Pages 33 of 31
Review Date Dec 2012
APPENDIX 12
GASTROENTERITIS OUTBREAK IN THE CARE HOME SETTING INFECTION CONTROL
ADVICE
ESTABLISHMENT_______________________________________________________________
Record:
Maintain Outbreak Record Form (ORF).
Mark only the new cases. – Recurrence of symptoms should be marked in the comments section.
Symptoms:
- Loose stools/diarrhoea
Frequency (?diarrhoea i.e., ≥ 3 loose stools in 24hrs
Colour / mucous / blood
Consistency
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
Accommodation:
Single room (preferably with toilet + W/H basin.
Cohort nurse if necessary and appropriate
(For shared rooms where only one person is symptomatic, the asymptomatic person can only be moved to a
single room in the vicinity, otherwise they should remain in the shared room).
Toilets:
Toilet allocated for symptomatic persons use only.
If commode necessary - allocate one to each symptomatic person or disinfect between use by different
persons.
Personal Protective Equipment:
For contact with excreta, vomit or contaminated item wear disposable plastic apron and disposable
latex/vinyl gloves and change between patients.
Handwashing:
Use liquid soap to wash and paper towels to dry:
- after contact with resident and immediate environment
- after removing gloves;
- after contact with faeces, vomit or contaminated items.
Instruct and assist residents where possible
Pay close attention to confused/wanderers
Laundry:
As per CIM:
Red water soluble bags
Cool pre-wash