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Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Influenza Outbreaks in Residential Care Facilities for Public Health Units in Australia

Appendix 1: Environmental Cleaning

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Influenza virus is inactivated by 70% alcohol and by chlorine, therefore cleaning of environmental surfaces with a neutral detergent followed by a disinfectant solution is recommended:

Table 1: Disinfectants

Disinfectant
Recommendation
Precautions
Sodium hypochlorite: 1% dilution, 5% solution to be diluted 1:5 in clean water Disinfection of surfaces contaminated with blood and body fluids (for surfaces on which bleach cannot be used, see below)
  • Should be used in well-ventilated areas
  • Protective clothing required while handling and using undiluted bleach
  • Do not mix with strong acids to avoid release of chlorine gas
  • Corrosive to metals
Bleaching powder: 7g/litre with 70% available chlorine Toilets/bathrooms: may be used in place of liquid bleach if this is unavailable
  • Same as above
Alcohol (70%): Isopropyl, ethyl alcohol, methylated spirit Smooth metal surfaces, tabletops and other surfaces on which bleach cannot be used
  • Flammable, toxic, to be used in well-ventilated area, avoid inhalation
  • Keep away from heat sources, electrical equipment, flames, hot surfaces
  • Allow to dry completely, particularly when using diathermy as this can cause diathermy burns

Note:  clothes and bed linen can be laundered as usual.

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Table of Contents
Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Influenza Outbreaks in Residential Care Facilities for Public Health Units in Australia
  Disclaimer
  Acknowledgements
  Preface
  How to use this document
  Summary Flow Chart
  Chapter 1: Introduction
   1.1 Influenza
   1.2 Linkages with other documents and the internet
  Chapter 2: Preventing Outbreaks
   2.1 Vaccination
   2.2 Infection Control Precautions
  Chapter 3: Outbreak and Case Definitions
   3.1 Introduction
   3.2 Respiratory Disease Outbreak Definition
   3.3 Case definition
   3.4 Outcome definitions
  Chapter 4: Investigation and Management of Outbreaks
   4.1 Assess the Suspected Outbreak
   4.2 Outbreak Investigation and Management Team
   4.3 The Investigation
   4.4 Diagnostic tests
   4.5 Documents for communication with the facility
   4.6 Outbreak control measures
   4.7 Monitoring the outbreak
   4.8 Declare that the outbreak is over
   4.9 Debriefing
  Chapter 5: References
  Appendices
   Appendix 1: Environmental Cleaning
   Appendix 2: Respiratory Outbreak Control Measures
   Appendix 3: Checklist for Public Health Unit for Investigation and Management of Outbreaks
   Appendix 4: Respiratory Outbreak Line Listing - Residents ONLY
   Appendix 5: Part A Respiratory Outbreak Line Listing Form - Staff ONLY
   Appendix 6: Influenza & Pneumococcal Immunisation Survey
   Appendix 7: Sample Collection Guide*
   Appendix 8: Guidelines for Taking Nasal and Throat Swabs
   Appendix 9: Respiratory outbreak transfer notification
   Appendix 10: Visitor Restriction Sign - Facility
   Appendix 11: Visitor Restriction Sign - Room
   Appendix 12: Antiviral medications for treatment and prophylaxis of influenza
   Appendix 13: Respiratory illness/Influenza outbreak alert letter to RCF Manager
   Appendix 14: Respiratory illness/Influenza outbreak alert letter to medical practitioner
   Appendix 15: Glossary and List of Abbreviations