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Managers Checklist
| Assume every minor stomach upset is an outbreak. If
you do not act instantly you could have a major outbreak of Norwalk
virus in your establishment. |
Before an outbreak
When a suspected case of infection is brought to your attention, you
need to be able to act immediatly. If you are not
fully prepared, there will be more infections taking place while you
catch up.
- Identify who will act as the co-ordinators.
- Identify which members of staff will be members
of the Hit Squad.
- Identify the person who will service affected
rooms.
- Train the Hit Squad in the symptoms, causes
and eradication of the virus.
- Train the Hit Squad in the use of Cryocide
and the fogging equipment.
- Regularly check the Norwalk supply box has
adequate supplies of fogging machines, disposable personal protective
clothing, virucidal multi-surface spray, virucidal air freshener,
Milton, Cryocide, body spillage granules.
Immediate actions on suspecting an infection
The key to the rapid eratication of the virus is immediate
action and meticulous cleaning and disinfection.
- Send in the Hit Squad to clean up any contaminated
areas.
- Call a meeting of all management and department
heads to make them aware of the situation.
- Ask the housekeeper if there have been
any cases of soiled bed linen, bathrooms that shows signs
of guests suffering from vomiting or diarrhoea or guests not
leaving their rooms because they are unwell.
- Ask the head of the dining room staff
if there have been any guests not eating.
- Check if there is any evidence of illness
amongst staff, especially food handling staff.
- Ensure that all public toilets are inspected
every 15 minutes and send in the Hit Squad to
deal with any suspected contamination. If someone vomits in the
toilets, they will leave a mist of virus particles which will
infect a significant proportion of all the people who use the
public toilets until the area has been decontaminated. This is
where a rapid escalation of the outbreak usually occurs.
During the outbreak
An outbreak of virus will quickly become exhausting for the hotel
staff and especially the co-ordinator. If possible, alternate the
co-ordinator responsibility every couple of days.
- Confirm who is going to be the co-ordinators.
Give them their checklist.
- Confirm who is going to make up the Hit Squad.
Give them their checklist.
- Ensure one staff member services all affected
rooms. Give them their checklist.
- Meet regularly with the Housekeeper and Reception.
Keep up to date with new outbreaks.
- Advise Head Office, the local G.P. and the
area Environmental Health Officer.
- Liase with coach drivers on any incidents
of sickness on the coaches, ask to be kept informed of any incidents
of the illness they might hear of. Issue the driver with their
checklist, a fogging machine and cryocide. If the driver has no
experience have an experienced member of staff train the driver
in the use of the cryocide and the fogger. Never forget your obligations
to COSSH.
- Maintain a record of events (date, time, room
no etc) in a daily diary
Complete Reception manual forms with details of outbreaks.
After the outbreak
Remain on high alert for two weeks after the last case. Remember that the
virus can survive this long outside the digestive system.
- Ensure fogging machines are flushed out with clean
water
- Ensure the Norwalk response box is replenished
- Maintain regular training
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