The Evening Times ran an article about figures in a new report showing that women from Lanarkshire experience higher-than-average rates of stillbirth and neonatal deaths than other parts of Scotland. The region recorded the second-highest rate in Scotland with 6.42 deaths per 1,000 births. However it is worth noting that the figure of 7,096 Lanarkshire resident […]
Know your ABC for Norovirus
Staff are urged to be alert to the signs of norovirus, which is also known as winter vomiting bug.
Norovirus generally causes mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and/or diarrhoea, but can be more serious among the elderly and people who are already unwell.
Norovirus lasts for 24- 48 hours, but it is infectious for two days after the symptoms stop. Patients with Norovirus may be infectious to other people during this time.
Emer Shepherd, Head of Infection Prevention and Control, said: “Rapid action from staff can make all the difference to preventing outbreaks and ensuring we minimise the impact on patients, staff and the running of our hospitals this winter.”
If there are two or more suspected cases in a clinical area, the clinical team should do ABC:
Alert the IPCT promptly,
Be up-to-date with the details of patients that meet the suspect norovirus case definition and start
Contact precautions for symptomatic patients.
Health Protection Scotland’s Norovirus Outbreak Guidance is available on FirstPort in the Control of Infection Manual section.
Staff should complete the Norovirus LearnPro Module, which contains essential information about the bug.
Emer said: “Through hand washing and compliance with infection control practices, particularly the maintenance of a clean environment, are essential elements to help manage Norovirus this winter.”
For more information visit www.nhsinform.co.uk/norovirus.
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