Outbreaks

An outbreak is a sudden rise in the number of cases of a disease, beyond what might be expected. It may last for a few days or weeks, or even for several years. An outbreak is the spread of the same illness among a group of people living or working in the same place at the same time. Infectious disease outbreaks occur year-round and in different settings including hospitals, long term care facilities, and the community. There are many types of outbreaks that might occur in healthcare facilities (e.g., respiratory, gastrointestinal, MRSA, scabies) and some are expected every year (e.g., influenza). The number of cases of illness required to call an outbreak may be different between the different types of disease. There are times when outbreaks can impact the health of people receiving care and even be life threatening. Early recognition of outbreaks and prompt response are essential for effective management of outbreaks. When illness is identified early and appropriate control measures are implemented in a timely manner, outbreaks are generally quickly controlled. 

We have strict infection control protocols that are immediately put in place when an outbreak is declared. Our goal is to prevent further spread of the infection through:

• Careful monitoring
• Increased environmental cleaning
• Educating staff, persons who receive care, and friends and family about the outbreak measures
• Reducing patient/resident/client movement on the unit and between units
• Restricted visitation 

• Check-in at the nursing station
  Control measures may change several times during an outbreak. Staff at the nursing station will provide you with information on control measures in place, and help answer your questions.
• Keep your hands clean
  • Wash hands using soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub:
    • Immediately when you enter the facility and as you leave
    • Before entering and as you leave a patient’s/resident’s/client’s room
    • Before and after feeding or providing care to a patient/resident/client
    • Before eating
    • After using the washroom
• If a patient/resident/client is ill, visit in their room only
  • Ill patients/residents/clients should remain in their rooms. Avoid taking an ill patient/resident/client to a common area during your visit
  • When visiting any patient/resident/client, follow the facility’s infection prevention and control instructions
• Do not visit if you are ill
  • Visiting a patient/resident/client when you are not feeling well puts everyone in the facility at risk.
• During an outbreak, do not visit more than one patient/resident/client within the facility
  • After visiting, leave the facility immediately.
  • To protect yourself and to avoid spreading illness, avoid common areas (e.g., dining room).
• Follow the facility’s infection prevention and control instructions