Norovirus Outbreak Control in Nursing Homes: A Comprehensive Report

This report examines the control of norovirus outbreaks in nursing homes, drawing on a case study that investigated the effectiveness of hand hygiene and isolation strategies. The study, conducted in a 100-bed nursing home during a 100-day outbreak, analyzed the impact of increased hand hygiene compliance and isolation of infected residents. Key findings indicate that increasing hand hygiene compliance to 60% and isolating infected residents significantly reduced the spread of the virus. The report highlights the importance of staff compliance with international recommendations, noting that a 15% hand hygiene compliance rate is insufficient. The research suggests that a combination of hand hygiene practices and isolating infected residents from unnecessary staff contact are highly effective in controlling the spread of norovirus. The study also emphasizes the potential of modeling as a tool for designing cost-effective control strategies, providing valuable insights for public health professionals and nursing home administrators seeking to mitigate norovirus outbreaks.

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Reference for article
Country
Study design
(how did they collect their
data/information)
Sample size and sites Comments/Key findings Conclusion
(Assab & Temime, 2016), The
role of hand hygiene in
controlling norovirus spread in
nursing homes. BMC infectious
diseases, 16(1): 395-405.
Questionnaire Sample size = 100-bed nursing
home for100-day norovirus
outbreak
0.40 gastroenteritis episodes
per 1000 bed-days
Stochastic extinctions over 100
days was bimodal.
Increasing hand hygiene
compliance up to 60%.
Norovirus outbreaks were
found when hand hygiene was
increased up to 60%. A linear
decrease in the predicted cases
was observed among residents.
Hand hygiene compliance rate
is 15%
It is suggested that nursing
home staffs must be more
compliant to international
recommendations
19 residents were decreased to
11 over 100 days when they
were isolated. Isolating infected
residents at nursing homes
from the unnecessary staff
contacts proved highly effective
control as it was controlled by
80%.
The study helps in
understanding norovirus spread
in nursing home settings. Two
main strategies are identified
through this research-
increasing hand hygiene among
staff members and isolating
infected residents from the staff
members.
Hand hygiene practices are
important among the staff
members as they come in
contact with the nursing home
residents. Isolating the infected
residents from unnecessary
contacts with the staff has
proved highly beneficial in
reducing infection. Simple
interventions can help control
the norovirus in nursing homes.
Modelling may be a useful tool
for decision makers for
designing cost-effective control
strategies.
1.