Management of Norovirus Gastroenteritis in Post Acute Care Settings
Norovirus is the predominant cause of acute gastroenteritis, causing both sporadic cases and outbreaks. It is estimated to be the causative agent for over 23 million gastroenteritis cases occurring every year in the U.S. Norovirus gastroenteritis infections commonly occur in healthcare settings. In fact, healthcare institutions, such as hospitals and nursing homes, are the most frequently reported settings for norovirus outbreaks in the United States and other industrialized countries.
Norovirus gastrointestinal infections can be particularly problematic in long-term care facilities. Due to the close proximity of living quarters, communal spaces, the reduced levels of personal hygiene and mobility of residents, along with the extreme contagious nature of the virus, norovirus can spread quickly in these types of facilities. Most long-term care facilities are populated by elderly residents and/or individuals who have significant underlying medical conditions. This makes them a susceptible and vulnerable group for norovirus infections. Due to these challenges, it is vitally important for long-term care facilities to implement measures and policies to prevent norovirus infections and take swift infection control actions if an outbreak is suspected.
This instructional course has been designed primarily for nurses and infection prevention and control practitioners working and caring for residents in long-term care facilities. However, other care providers such as epidemiologists, facility administrators, environmental services, and other long-term care staff members will find the course information useful. The course is designed to be applicable to various types of long-term care settings and follows the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest HICPAC Guideline for the Prevention of Norovirus.
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Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:
- Describe specific challenges associated with norovirus outbreaks in post acute care facilities.
- List the various methods for limiting the spread of norovirus through isolation, cohorting and contact precautions.
- Explain methods for closing wards and transferring patients during outbreak events.
- Describe internal communication procedures during norovirus outbreaks.
Curriculum
Chapter 1: Norovirus in Healthcare Settings
- Viral Gastroenteritis Description
- Norovirus gastroenteritis infections are common in healthcare settings
- Burden to U.S. Healthcare System
- Importance of Infection Prevention and Control Measures
- Various Forms of Post-Acute Care Facilities
- Challenges Associated with Post-Acute Care Facilities
- Description
- When and Where Norovirus Gastroenteritis Infections Occur
- Symptoms
- Transmission
- Treatment
- At-Risk Populations
- CDC Norovirus Guideline
- Key Issues
- CDC Norovirus Toolkit
- State Resources
- Resources Specific to Norovirus in Post-Acute Care Facilities
- Preventing Exposure to Diarrhea and Vomitus
- Room Assignments and Contact Precautions
- Staff Cohorting
- Duration Times for Isolation and Contact Precautions
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Limiting Patient Movement Within the Facility
- Closures
- Transfers
- Discharges to Home Settings
- Staff Risk of Infection
- Ill Staff Exclusion From Work
- Recovering Staff Suitable for Caring for Symptomatic Patients
- Non-essential Staff
- Promotion of Proper Hand Hygiene Practices
- Use of Soap and Running Water
- Resident Hand Hygiene
- Hand Sanitizers
- When To Wash Hands
- Food and Water as Source of Norovirus Transmission
- Food Handler Hand Hygiene
- Exclusion of Food Handlers Experiencing Gastrointestinal Symptoms
- Shared or Communal Foods
- Laboratory Diagnostic Protocols
- Specimens Used for Testing
- Kaplan's Clinical and Epidemiological Criteria
- When is it an outbreak?
- Need for Increased Cleaning During Norovirus Outbreaks
- Cleaning Sequence
- Disposable and Non-disposable Items
- Linens, Fabrics, Upholstered Items, Rugs
- Products for Cleaning and Disinfection
- Outside Contractors
- Visitor Restrictions
- Screening
- Hand Hygiene and Contact Precautions
- Visitors Who May Be More Susceptible
- Surveillance to Evaluate Fluctuations in Norovirus Incidence
- Regulatory Notification
- Internal Facility Communication
- Contact Person
- Signage
- Training
- California Bill 241
- Implicit Bias in Healthcare
- What is Implicit Bias?
- Implications of Implicit Bias in Healthcare
- How to Reduce Implicit Bias
Price: $30.00
Contact Hours: 3
Course Author
Maureen Sullivan-Tevault
Maureen graduated nursing school in 1981 and has spent her years in the Emergency and Trauma field, including nursing positions as the Emergency Department Manager, Director of Staff Education, Trauma Coordinator, Cardiology Nurse Navigator, and Stroke Program Manager.
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