Management of In-patients with Loose Stools ... - NHS Lanarkshire
Management of In-patients with Loose Stools ... - NHS Lanarkshire
Management of In-patients with Loose Stools ... - NHS Lanarkshire
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Note: Completion<br />
<strong>of</strong> Review<br />
<strong>NHS</strong> <strong>Lanarkshire</strong><br />
Health Protection Committee<br />
Section E1<br />
Effective From Sep 2010<br />
Replaces Jun 2010<br />
Pages 8 <strong>of</strong> 31<br />
SECTION E 1 - <strong>Management</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>In</strong>-<strong>patients</strong> <strong>with</strong><br />
<strong>Loose</strong> <strong>Stools</strong>: Gastrointestinal Outbreak<br />
Review Date March 2013<br />
Health Protection Committee approved review date extension to March 2013<br />
Any patient diagnosed as having a food borne illness, whose symptoms developed after<br />
admission<br />
A patient whose relatives/contacts have had gastrointestinal symptoms in the last 24 - 48hrs<br />
WHEN A SUSPECTED OUTBREAK OCCURS<br />
Any member <strong>of</strong> staff who suspects that an outbreak may be occurring must as soon as is<br />
reasonably practicable, report his/her suspicion to the person in charge. The staff must ensure<br />
standard/transmission based precautions are being observed throughout the ward area (Section<br />
C, Control <strong>of</strong> <strong>In</strong>fection Manual). Where possible, <strong>patients</strong> should be isolated in a single<br />
room, or cohort nursed if the patient developed symptoms whilst in a 4/6 bedded bay (see<br />
Appendix 9).<br />
The person in charge must then report the possibility <strong>of</strong> an outbreak, as soon as is reasonably<br />
practicable to:<br />
The <strong>In</strong>fection Control Team (out <strong>with</strong> <strong>of</strong>fice hours, the on-call Microbiologist/<strong>In</strong>fection<br />
Control Doctor must be informed)<br />
The Senior Manager for Nursing responsible for that area<br />
The Clinician or General Practitioner on duty/on-call<br />
A member <strong>of</strong> the <strong>In</strong>fection Control Team will visit the area (as soon as is practical) and<br />
communicate <strong>with</strong> the relevant individuals as to the control measures to be implemented.<br />
IN THE CARE HOME SETTING<br />
General care and management <strong>of</strong> a resident <strong>with</strong> gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhoea and<br />
or vomiting)<br />
• If any resident has diarrhoea and/or vomiting report this immediately to the person in charge.<br />
• Check that the resident is not taking prescribed laxatives or any other drugs that could cause<br />
diarrhoea.<br />
• Organise stool sampling (appendix 2).<br />
• As long as this does not compromise their safety, ask any resident who is suspected <strong>of</strong> having a<br />
gastrointestinal infection (symptoms <strong>of</strong> diarrhoea and or vomiting) to remain in their room (<strong>with</strong> the<br />
door closed) whilst they are unwell and not to visit communal areas until 48 hours after they are<br />
symptom free. Those residents who Residents <strong>with</strong> dementia must be closely monitored<br />
• Explain to the resident why they need to stay in their room. The resident may feel unhappy at<br />
being isolated so make sure they can access help easily and are not ignored or suffer as a<br />
consequence <strong>of</strong> having the door closed.<br />
E 8