Enteric Outbreak Infection Control - Institutional Checklist

• Begin line listing for all resident and employee cases. Update daily and fax line listing form to the Health Unit liaison.
• Reinforce importance of hand hygiene.
• Review basic hygiene principles.
• Consider limiting each visitor to one resident only. Have the visitor leave the building as soon as the visit ends.
• Limit or postpone new admissions and transfers. Consultation with EOHU is required.
• Implement cohort nursing; keep staff assigned to one area during outbreak.
• Isolate symptomatic residents/clients until 48 hours post symptoms; exclude symptomatic employees until 48 hours post symptoms.
• Increase routine disinfecting and cleaning with special attention to common touch surfaces such as door handles, handrails, sinks and toilets.
• Ensure proper use of disinfectant solution; respect contact time of product.
• Immediately clean and disinfect surfaces contaminated with feces or vomitus.
• Ensure appropriate signage at all entrances and in strategic locations within the institution.
• Cancel all group activities and outings.
• Consider temporary suspension of part-time staff working in other institutions or advise that they refrain from working elsewhere.
• In addition to routine practices, implement contact precautions (gloves and possibly gowns if caregiver clothes will be soiled). Equip the isolation room with an in-room container for PPE disposal.
• Handle soiled linen and clothing with care.

Note: Additional control measures may be recommended depending on etiology of the outbreak. It is imperative that specimens be obtained to facilitate identification of the causative agent.