CDC - Blogs - Safe Healthcare – Norovirus Prevention in Healthcare Settings

Norovirus Prevention in Healthcare Settings
Categories: Healthcare-associated infections
May 16th, 2011 6:59 am ET -

Tara MacCannell, PhD

Author: Taranisia MacCannell, PhD, MSc
Epidemiologist in CDC’s Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion

Norovirus is a common cause of gastroenteritis, inflammation of the stomach and small and large intestines, that can include symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Approximately 21 million illnesses caused by norovirus are estimated to occur each year in the United States. Although, norovirus can strike any age group, the elderly and hospitalized patients who are immune compromised are particularly vulnerable to this infection. CDC has investigated numerous outbreaks of norovirus in hospitals and in long-term care facilities. Norovirus infection may result in prolonged hospital stays, cause other medical complications, and, in rare cases, can result in death. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine or specific medical treatment available for norovirus infection, making preventing the spread of these infections in healthcare facilities so critical.

CDC and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) have recently released a new guideline [CDC - 2010 Norovirus Guidelines: TOC - HICPAC] aimed at providing clinicians and infection control personnel with a step-by-step resource to assist them preventing an outbreak of norovirus in their healthcare facilities.

This guideline reiterates the profound impact that simple techniques – such as implementing contact precautions – can have on the well-being of our patients. Other techniques include:

•Placing affected patients in a single-patient room if they have symptoms consistent with norovirus gastroenteritis [CDC - Norovirus in Healthcare Settings - HAI]
•Minimizing patient movements within a ward or unit during outbreaks and suspending group activities (such as dining events) for the duration of the outbreak
•Promoting proper hand hygiene [CDC - Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings]
•And ensuring routine and effective environmental cleaning of frequently touched environmental surfaces and equipment in isolation and cohorted areas – as well as shared clinical areas

Recently, I discussed this new guideline in a commentary on Medscape [Preventing Norovirus Transmission: New Guidelines Released]. We hope this new guideline will help healthcare providers safeguard patients from this debilitating virus.

To review the complete guideline and for more information on how you can help prevent and control healthcare-associated infections, please visit CDC’s Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) site [CDC - HICPAC].

full-text:
CDC - Blogs - Safe Healthcare – Norovirus Prevention in Healthcare Settings


CDC - 2010 Norovirus Guidelines: TOC - HICPAC
CDC - 2010 Norovirus Guidelines: TOC - HICPAC


CDC - Norovirus in Healthcare Settings - HAI
CDC - Norovirus in Healthcare Settings - HAI


Preventing Norovirus Transmission: New Guidelines Released
Preventing Norovirus Transmission: New Guidelines Released