National noro-virus guidelines for nursing homes
In response to recent gastro outbreaks in nursing homes, the Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot, has announced a response plan.
It involves: development of new national guidelines specifically on noro-virus – a common and highly infectious cause of gastroenteritis in nursing homes; a review of the accreditation standards on infection control; and development of a gastro awareness and prevention education kit.
This new plan will build on the new Food Safety Standard, which was gazetted in October 2006 by the previous Government, and will come into effect on 5 October 2008.
This new standard mandates a requirement for organisations, including nursing homes, who deliver food services to vulnerable populations, to implement a food safety plan.
In 2007, there were 1,825 reported gastro outbreaks in Australia. Of those, 989 (54%), were in nursing homes. From 1 January 2008 to the present, there have been 671 gastro reported outbreaks nationally, with 383 (57%) reported in aged care homes.
State and territory governments have legislation in place regarding infectious disease, and are responsible for investigating them. Nursing homes must meet the state and territories requirements.
Currently, the Department of Health and Ageing is working with the states and territories, to develop a national communication strategy for a more rapid information flow about outbreaks of infectious diseases between nursing homes, public health authorities, and the Aged Care Complaints Investigation Scheme.
“My primary concern is the welfare and care of residents,” Mrs Elliot said. “State and territories are responsible for investigating and controlling outbreaks of gastro-enteritis and other infectious illnesses, but the Australian Government works in partnership with them and aged care providers.
“Australian nursing homes and staff provide world class care, but there is always room for improvement. Infection control in nursing homes is a big task, when one considers that residents are often frail, aged and vulnerable to infection. We can never wipe out infectious diseases, but we must always look at ways to minimise risk.”
New national guidelines specifically on noro-virus
The Department of Health and Ageing is working with the states and territories on new national and consistent guidelines; specifically on prevention and management of noro-virus, a common and highly infectious cause of gastro-enteritis in aged care homes. The draft guidelines are expected to be completed by the end of this year, and stakeholders will be consulted.
A review of the accreditation standards
The current standard on infection control is very broad. The review of the standards will also make sure that staff training in infection control is thoroughly checked by the independent watchdog, the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency.
The Department will begin discussions with key stakeholders about these changes, and other aspects of reviewing the atandards at the Ageing Consultative Committee early next month (7 August).
New standards will cover in more detail on how homes can reduce the likelihood of an outbreak; stop the spread of an outbreak through good hand washing practices; safe disposal of bodily waste; and proper use and provision of gowns, gloves and masks. New standards will ensure proper hydration of residents, who are unwell, and minimising contact with sick residents reduces person-to-person spread.
Gastro awareness and prevention education kit
This kit will be developed by the Department of Health and Ageing in consultation with key stakeholders, and will be sent to all aged care homes by October 2008. It will provide practical, brief information sheets and materials on how to recognise an outbreak; how to minimise cross infection; and guidance for ongoing avoidance of further outbreaks.
An important part of the kit will be information for residents and their families, about gastro and how infection may be avoided, and how to minimise spread, such as hand washing.
It will also include state and territory contact information, as these are the authorities responsible for managing outbreaks of infectious disease.
