Norovirus

Hi everyone,

Always on a Friday afternoon!
We have had a great debate here about what sort of precautions Norovirus requires and what sort of isolation room they need to be nursed in.

The NSW Ministry of Health Infection Control policy PD2007_036 states:
“Contact and Airborne precautions.
P2 mask when there is potential for aerosol dissemination e.g. patient vomiting or toileting (diarrhoea), disposing of faeces.
Airborne negative pressure room if available and P2 mask
Contact gown/apron, gloves
Ensure consistent environmental cleaning and disinfection.”

I have always advised the staff that contact and DROPLET precautions are required if the patient is vomiting or has profuse/explosive diarrhoea. I have also advised that a surgical mask is sufficient (if worn correctly). Our little ones don’t vomit and expel faeces as far as adults do too.
We do not have the luxury of having a negative pressure room for them to be nursed in either as we do not have that many.
I think CDC simply suggests single rooms and contact precautions.

Just thought I would ask the other experts out there what they think about this topic?
Also if I advise staff to follow the contact and droplet precautions and surgical mask route, am I going against policy?

Any help on this matter would be appreciated. Happy to admit I am wrong!

Terri Cripps | Clinical Nurse Consultant Infection Control | Sydney Children’s Hospital
‘: (02) 9382 1876 | fax: (02) 9382 2084 |* : terri.cripps@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au| “:www.sch.edu.au| page: 47140

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