Prevent Influenza:Infection Control

Infection, prevention and control measures:

• Ensure that liquid soap and disposable paper towels are available at all sinks

• Wash hands thoroughly using liquid soap and water before and after any contact with

clients

• Provide 70% alcohol hand rub for visitor use and supplementary use by staff

• Staff must wear single-use PPE when dealing with any body fluid from any resident

• Staff must wear a single-use apron when the front of their uniform is in contact with any resident, or their clothing or bedding.

Cleaning and waste disposal:

For more information please read the Public Health England Guidance on outbreaks available on www.hcpa.info/flu

• Provide tissues and no-touch bins for used tissue disposal in public areas

• Provide tissues and covered sputum pots. (Dispose of these as infectious waste)

• Wash clients’ clothes, linen and soft furnishings on a regular basis, and keep all rooms clean

• Clean surfaces of all frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, light switches, toilet flushes etc.

• Always clean hoists, lifting aids, baths and showers thoroughly between patients

East and North HertfordshireClinical Commissioning Group

Herts ValleysClinical Commissioning Group

Do two or more residents or staff have the following symptoms?

Please look out for new onset or acute worsening of one or more of these symptoms:

• Fever 37.8⁰C or above

• Cough, runny nose or congestion, sore throat, sneezing, hoarseness, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain

• Sudden decline in physical or mental ability

• Chills, headache, myalgia (muscle pain) or severe fatigue

If you notice two or more clients or staff with two or more of the above symptoms within 48 hours you may have an outbreak please refer to the managing an outbreak document for further advice on your next steps.

Prevent Influenza:Signs & symptoms

www.hcpa.info/flu