An outbreak can occur at any time and it is rarely expected. However, there is much that every facility can do to plan in advance what they might need and how they will respond. Being prepared will remove uncertainty at a critical time and ensure the facility can respond quickly and effectively. This article provides a checklist to help you respond in case of an outbreak.
The best infection prevention programs are developed before a crisis. It is critical to build a team that meets regularly and is empowered to make decisions for the facility. This team will identify potential gaps in how the facility would respond to specific challenges, such as an outbreak of Influenza, Ebola, or MERS. With COVID-19, for example, Diversey has created a comprehensive knowledge database that is packed with useful information that facilities can use to prepare and implement preventative measures and enhanced hygiene guidelines. After completing the risk assessment, the team should make recommendations to the facility. These might include, for example, adding more handwashing stations or larger storage capacity for any infection prevention supplies that might be needed. Modifications like these take time which is why it is always best to plan well before any possible outbreak. The team's recommendations can also include ensuring there will be enough supplies of items such as disinfectants, disinfectant wipes, hand hygiene products, facial tissues, toilet paper, and extra waste bins to use during an outbreak.
Providing and/or requiring employee vaccinations, wherever possible, helps to protect staff and prevent transmission of pathogens to guests/customers. Healthcare facilities in many countries now require their employees to have annual influenza vaccinations, for example. We encourage this in other sectors where practical.
Signs and other communication materials are essential if a facility wants its customers/guests to perform certain behaviors such as washing hands or using hand sanitizers. Good designs will help the facility maintain high levels of compliance, instill confidence and enhance its reputation.
If an outbreak should occur or there is a new pathogen of concern the facility will be able to respond much more quickly if it knows in advance what supplies will be needed and their lead times. Items to consider include cleaning products, disinfectants, hand hygiene products, disposable wipes, paper towels, waste bags and bins, toilet paper, bottled water, gloves, gowns, masks, and so on. Planning should include not just the items needed but how much to order and when to ensure continuity of supply. It can also be useful to plan for extra waste collections to deal with increased volumes.
Frequent hand hygiene is the simplest and most cost-effective way to prevent the spread of pathogens. Studies in healthcare settings demonstrate that access to hand hygiene is the best predictor of whether people will perform it frequently. Washing with soap and water is effective at removing viruses and other pathogens. If additional products such as antimicrobial hand rubs or gels are used it is vital to ensure they meet relevant standards and are effective against pathogens of concern. For example, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is an enveloped virus. This type of virus is generally easy to kill. Hand hygiene products that meet the international EN 14476 virucidal standard (either fully virucidal or effective against Vaccinia virus) are effective against enveloped viruses.
Clean hands will not help stop the spread of infections if they then touch a dirty or contaminated surface. It is therefore critical to clean surfaces regularly using suitable products, disinfectants, and tools (eg cloths, spray bottles, etc) as part of an established daily routine. In the event of an outbreak or new pathogen of concern, it may be necessary to change products or increase the frequency of cleaning in the event of a new outbreak or pathogen of concern. Disinfectants that meet the requirements of the EN 14476 (either fully virucidal or limited virucidal or effective against Vaccinia virus) for example are effective against enveloped viruses like SARS-CoV-2.
All facilities should have standard cleaning practices that should detail:
Cleaning should include standard recommendations such as:
Workers may need gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection depending on the pathogens of concern. As with other parts of the facility's plan, any PPE required should be decided in advance so that there are no questions or delays when it is needed. Staff will need training on how to use the PPE, including the correct way to put it on and take it off. Staff should also understand they need to complete effective hand hygiene before and after using PPE.
Many healthcare facilities have well-designed programs to monitor hand hygiene, surface cleaning, and PPE usage compliance. This means that they are able to hold themselves accountable not just for having the correct policies but for also following them. Non-Healthcare facilities should consider if a similar approach to compliance monitoring will ensure staff is performing as expected to protect themselves and those around them.
Diversey has created free reopening guidelines. They are designed to help facilities plan their cleaning operations create safer, cleaner, and healthier environments as they continue their operations or reopen after lockdown.
Contents in this article are applicable to Europe. Please liaise with your local Diversey representative for further information.