Winter Planning and Outbreak Control Measures for Health Protection Team
In preparation for winter, Penny Edwards from the South West Health Protection Team outlines key strategies for prevention, preparedness, and protection against respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19 and flu. The guidance emphasizes social distancing, hand hygiene, staff training on PPE usage, regular testing, cleaning protocols, and outbreak control measures in care homes and domiciliary care settings. It also provides guidelines for identifying and managing outbreaks, including isolation, contact tracing, and risk assessment. Immediate action is advised if two or more residents or staff exhibit symptoms within the same area, potentially signaling an outbreak.
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Presentation Transcript
Winter planning Penny Edwards South West Health Protection Team
Prevention, Preparedness, Protection Social distancing in and out of workplace (avoid car sharing) Hand and Recognising cases and outbreaks Flu vaccination Respiratory Hygiene Isolation of cases and contacts and new admissions Limiting staff movement between homes Staff PPE training/updates and audit Regular Pillar 2 testing and reporting potential outbreaks for HPT pillar 1 testing Cleaning and decontamination Management laundry and waste Visiting policy
https://www.england.nhs.uk/south/info-professional/public-health/infection-winter/care-https://www.england.nhs.uk/south/info-professional/public-health/infection-winter/care- home-and-residential-care-guidance/ 3 PHE HPT COVID-19 Care Home and Domicilary Care
Do 2 or more residents or staff have the following symptoms? If you notice 2 or more residents or staff meeting these criteria, occurring within 14 days, in the same area of the care home you might have an outbreak. Consider influenza or COVID-19 as an alternative diagnosis in residents with suspected chest infection or fever or cough Call the Health Protection team on 0300 303 8162 or Email: swhpt@phe.gov.uk
Outbreak control measure Confirmed COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Infection- unknown organism Other confirmed- parainfluenza, rhinovirus, RSV Confirmed Flu IPC Essentially same transmission based precautions and COVID-19 precautions will continue with or without an outbreak. Cases and contacts 14 days Isolation Cases- 5 days (7 sometimes) Cases- 5 days from onset Until results known and reassess Contact Tracing yes no Await results no Treatment/prophylaxis no no yes Risk assess Closure Generally visiting restricted, new admissions need risk assessment
