Contents
Introduction……………………………………………………………….2
Management of Norovirus Outbreak……………………...5
Transmission…………………………………………………………………………………………………5
Personal protective equipment (PPE)………….……………………………..………………..7 Hand Hygiene………………………………………………………………………………………………8
Risk assessment…………………………………………………………9
Standard infection control precautions…………………....10
Link policy to procedures…………………………………………18

Introduction

Infection prevention and control strategies are required to ensure that people who use a variety of health and social care services obtain safe and effective care. Effective prevention and control of infection is necessary, and appliance to everyday practice by everyone is essential. The protocols and procedures taken in hospitals to protect staff, patients and visitors from infection represent a major contribution to increased quality of care. Certain infections have the ability to spread to an environment where people susceptible share eating and living facilities. The roles and responsibilities of personnel who work in a geriatric ward would differ due to their job title, however they all work together maximise the efficiency of infection control. Staff within a ward who work together to prevent infection includes nurses, doctors, consultants, cleaners, cooks, porters. Visitors and patients may also have a responsibility to prevent infection. The contribution to infection prevention by these individuals includes:

Nurse
A nurse plays a critical role in preventing and controlling infectious disease because they are the main source of contact with patients. They should always wash their hands between patients as this will minimise the risk of infections spreading. They should also encourage patients and visitors to wash their hands and use a hand sanitizer which is available all around the hospital. Nurses should wear proper uniform. They should not wear scrubs that have long sleeves shirts and jewellery as they are the main cause of spread of bacteria. Each institution will vary on what sort of jewellery they can wear. Some will only allow a plain band wedding ring; they will not allow a ring with a stone on it as there will bacteria around the stone. They may also be allowed to wear a watch around their wrist but it would be beneficial if they wore a fob watch. Nurses have to take their uniform home to wash however there is a tax benefit regards to doing so. Nurses should ensure that everyone has information and the facilities required to follow the procedures. Nurses should keep short, clean nails and they should not wear artificial nails and nail polishes. Any cuts and abrasions should be covered with a waterproof dressing.

Personal protective equipment should be used to protect both nurse and patient this minimises risk of cross infection. They should wear equipment such as gloves aprons masks goggles etc. gloves should be used when in contact with blood, mucus etc.

Sharp handling and dispose of sharps should be done correctly. Needles should be disposed of this will minimise risks of getting infectious diseases such as hepatitis B. Everything should be disposed of correctly in their right coloured bags. It is very easy to pass infections in a hospital as multiple people handle hospital equipment. Nurses must follow their institutions rule to maintain high standards.

Doctors and Consultants
Doctors and consultant have a similar role. They should maintain hygiene at all times because they come in contact with patients. They both should wear gloves when coming in contact with patients but sometimes it is not necessary. However they should wash their hands before and after they have come in contact with the patient. They should wear clean uniforms at all time.

Cleaners
A cleaner’s role is to ensure that the hospital remains clean and tidy. Cleaners should use the right equipment to clean patient rooms, baths, laboratories, offices, halls, and other areas. They should keep