New guidelines for managing influenza outbreaks in long-term care facilities

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released new guidelines related to managing influenza outbreaks in long-term care facilities for the 2016-2017 flu season.

Influenza is easily introduced into a nursing home by newly admitted residents, health care workers and loved ones who are visiting their relatives. Prevention is important as the transmission of such viruses can make residents severely or fatally ill.

The CDC makes the following recommendations:

·        Influenza vaccination should be provided routinely to all residents and health care workers of long-term care facilities, and when there is a suspected outbreak

·        Implement daily active surveillance for respiratory illness among ill residents, health care personnel and visitors to the facility

·        Implement Standard and Droplet Precautions for all residents with suspected or confirmed influenza

·        Be Aware of the Possibility of a Drug-Resistant Virus

·        Consider additional measures to reduce transmission among residents and health care personnel¹

To read the full CDC report click on the following link: http://bit.ly/2kM7pWN

¹ Interim Guidance for Influenza Outbreak Management in Long-Term Care Facilities. (2017, February 02). Retrieved February 21, 2017, from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/infectioncontrol/ltc-facility-guidance.htm