national guidelines on the management of outbreaks of norovirus ...

National Guidelines on the Management of Outbreaks of Norovirus Infection in Healthcare Settings NDSC
4. Specific Prevention and Control
Measures
There are two principal areas in which norovirus transmission in a hospital may be controlled:
1. The point at which noroviruses may be introduced into hospital
2. Containment at individual ward level and prevention of spread to other wards
4.1 The Point at which Noroviruses may be Introduced into Hospital
Increased hospital attendance is a factor in the development and sustaining of outbreaks of illness due to
norovirus. If an outbreak of illness due to norovirus is suspected, it is important that contingencies are
available to minimise hospital numbers. The effects of noroviral infection can be minimised by reduction of
the susceptible pool of patients (particularly elderly patients) by their discharge or transfer to step-down
facilities. This will also provide increased capacity within hospitals to allow more effective cohorting of
patients.
4.2 Containment at Individual Ward Level
The principal methods to minimise spread at individual ward level are (see box 2): 15
1. Isolation and cohorting of affected patients
2. Scrupulous hand hygiene and
3. Rapid cleansing and decontamination following episodes of vomiting and diarrhoea.
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