Golden Rules of Norovirus Management

1. Golden Rules of Norovirus Management • CONSIDER THE DIAGNOSIS. Is your patient likely to have Norovirus or be incubating it (contact with a suspected or confirmed case in the last 48hr)? • AVOID ADMISSION*. Most patients can be managed safely in their place of residence. Utilise community outreach services for the provision of rehydration therapy • MINIMISE PATIENT TRANSFERS. Avoid unnecessary transfer of symptomatic cases and exposed contacts. Defer transfer for non-essential investigations and interventions if safe to do so. • MINIMISE STAFF MOVEMENT between affected and non-affected areas. On ward rounds, visit affected areas last. • COMPLY WITH INFECTION CONTROL PRECAUTIONS for staff, patients and visitors • Hand washing – use liquid soap and water (alcohol gel is not effective against Norovirus) • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - remember to change PPE & wash hands between care activities and patients • ENHANCED ENVIRONMENTAL DECONTAMINATION • Detergent clean followed by disinfection with 0.1% sodium hypochlorite – particular attention to frequently touched surfaces • Prompt decontamination of soiling and spillages • EXCLUDE • Staff and visitors if symptomatic until 48h post symptom resolution • Visitors if in contact with suspected or confirmed case in last 48h • Non-essential personnel from closed areas • COMMUNICATE: Ensure effective communication (frequent and regular) within and between healthcare providers. *Restrict admission of patients to situations in which the diagnosis is significantly uncertain or complications are a risk and in which simple supportive measures are unlikely to suffice