IPC 4.5 Outbreak management pack

Contents

  Introduction
  Out of hours
  Infection prevention and control advice for in-patient areas
  Outbreak management checklist
  References
  Documents

Introduction

TO BE COMMENCED BY PERSON IN CHARGE ON SUSPICION OF AN OUTBREAK OF INFECTION.

2 or more cases within the same ward setting - patients and/or staff.

Should you suspect there is an outbreak within your workplace please contact the Infection Control Team (IPC Team) on the following numbers:

Office hours 8:30am to 4.30pm
Telephone: 07387 544 853
Email: IPCTeam@nottshc.nhs.uk

Out of hours

Consultation with the appropriate manager on call who will then liaise with the local UKHSA (UK Health Security Agency) East Midlands: 0344 225 4524.

Contacts: UKHSA health protection teams - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) if outside the East Midlands region. 

Infection prevention and control advice for in-patient areas

The decision to close the ward/area to admissions or discharges will be made by the IPC team in consultation with the senior person on duty.

Out of hour’s the senior person on duty should make the decision after discussion with the senior management on call, UKHSA team or where appropriate the on-call microbiologist at the local acute hospital.

Affected patients are not to be transferred to other healthcare establishments including Care Home Environments until symptom free for:

• Diarrhoea and Vomiting - 48 hours.
• C. difficile toxin positive - 72 hours and usual bowel pattern has returned.
• Influenza - 7 days and symptoms have settled.
• Covid19- Refer to current guidance on Connect or advice via IPC Team.  

Where the patient has been received from another healthcare area/ward/care home and develops loose stools after arrival or in the first 72 hours, it is important to inform the area, that they have arrived from, of the suspected or confirmed diarrhoea/vomiting so that they can take precautionary actions. 

All other specific instructions should be discussed with the IPC team for advice on management.

Outbreak management checklist

References

NHS England (2022, updated 2024) National infection prevention and control manual (NIPCM) for England. (Accessed 21 June 2024).

Documents

The documents are available from the '4.5 Outbreak management pack and checklist' page on the Connect site