Document

ICC- 031
Code:
SAINT FRANCIS DOCTORS’ HOSPITAL AND Revision
MEDICAL CENTER, INC. No.:
Date
Rev. 00
JULY 8, 2023
Effective:

Infection Control Committee Page No. Page 1 of 3

Document Title: Hospital Outbreak Management

I. PURPOSE
To identify procedures for management of outbreaks of re-emerging infectious diseases to
prevent further transmission of suspected or confirmed infection.

II. POLICY
Outbreak of infection may vary in extend and severity ranging from a few cases to a large
number of people. Recognition of an outbreak may be difficult, therefore medical and
nursing staff must be vigilant at all times and report any suspected infection to infection
control nurse.

III. DEFINITION
1. An incident affecting two or more people thought to have a common exposure to a
potential source, in which they experience a similar illness or proven infection.
2. A rate of infection or illness above the expected rate for that place and time, where
spread is occurring through cross infection, or person to person.
3. A certain newly emerging disease, e.g COVID 19, will only require 1 single case.

IV. PROCEDURES
1. Hospital outbreak investigation and management
1.1 A probable diagnosis of an outbreak arises from laboratory based surveillance or
clinical report from a unit/ department.
1.2 Investigate and gather information on the probable outbreak, both form
microbiological data, environment investigation and patient’s placement and
movement.
1.3 The ICN will involve collection of the following data:
1.3.1 Patient Personal Information
1.3.2 Consultant in charge of each affected patient
1.3.3 Date of admission
1.3.4 Date and time of onset of relevant symptoms
1.3.5 Type of infection if known
1.3.6 Primary diagnosis
1.3.7 Relevant Medication
1.3.8 Nature of illness and current symptoms
1.3.9 Recent travel abroad
1.3.10Specimen obtained
1.4 Suspect a true outbreak if cases appear to be linked in time, space or persons.
1.5 Produce a preliminary report and hold the discussion.
 Document
ICC- 031
Code:
SAINT FRANCIS DOCTORS’ HOSPITAL AND Revision
MEDICAL CENTER, INC. No.:
Date
Rev. 00
JULY 8, 2023
Effective:

Infection Control Committee Page No. Page 2 of 3

Document Title: Hospital Outbreak Management

1.6 Alert all parties involved of probable outbreak and carry out further investigations
such as screening of involved patients, contacts and environment microbiological
samples to identify source, reservoir and mode of transmission.
1.7 Produce report on the outcome of the investigation (possible primary source,
microorganism, magnitude of an outbreak) and recommendation immediate
actions to contain the outbreak and prevent further transmission.
1.8 Discussion at the ICC level only if it is a minor outbreak. ICC chairman will then
inform Hospital Director if it is a major outbreak.
1.9 Declare outbreak. Recommend closure of unit/ward if indicated.
1.10 Check if infection control policies and procedure are breached.
1.11 Administer outbreak control measures according to the known modes of
transmission (airborne, droplet or contact) of the organisms and appropriate
source control.
1.12 Re-evaluate the outbreak situation and effectiveness of interventions. Take
remedial action if the outbreak is still not contained.
1.13 Announce end of outbreak when no more new cases or the number of cases
has reduced to usual mean control limit.
1.14 A final report is produced at the end of the outbreak. Recommend on change
of infection control policies.
1.15 Disseminate report to all relevant departments.
2. Public health outbreak management
2.1 A probable diagnosis of an outbreak arises from a certain city or location in the
country.
2.2 The ICN will involve collection of data through PIDSR or screening form (See
attachment bellow).
2.3 Case investigation and reporting by ICN to the City Health Office.
2.4 For re-emerging disease (e.g Ebola, Mers-Cov);
2.4.1 It includes data collection of all patient seeking consultation in the facility
2.4.2 Reporting (see algorithm below)
 Document
ICC- 031
Code:
SAINT FRANCIS DOCTORS’ HOSPITAL AND Revision
MEDICAL CENTER, INC. No.:
Date
Rev. 00
JULY 8, 2023
Effective:

Infection Control Committee Page No. Page 3 of 3

Document Title: Hospital Outbreak Management