Go to home page
Skip to Content
Skip to Main Navigation
Skip to Local Navigation
Skip to Search

Better health and ageing for all Australians

Home > Publications, Statistics & Resources > Publications > Historical publications

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

Appendix 3: Checklist for Public Health Unit for Investigation and Management of Outbreaks

Up to Historical publications

| TOC |next page

Table of contents

Chapter 2: Preventing Outbreaks

Chapter 3: Outbreak and Case Definitions

Chapter 4: Investigation and Management of Outbreaks

No
Discussion point
Decision/Action to be to be taken
(Tick if completed) Person responsible

1 Formulate an outbreak name and working case definition

2 Define population at risk

3 Active case finding, request linelisting of residents and staff from the RCF

4 Discuss whether it is a facility-wide outbreak or unit-specific outbreak

5 Confirm how and when communications will take place between the facility and the PHU.

6 Review the control measures necessary to prevent the outbreak from spreading. Confirm that the management of the facility is responsible for ensuring that agreed control measures are in place and enforced.

7 Discuss what specimens have been collected. Notify the laboratory of the investigation.

8 Confirm the type and number of further laboratory specimens to be taken. Clarify which residents and staff should be tested.

9 Confirm that the laboratory will phone or fax results (both positive and negative) directly to the requesting doctor and this person will notify the PHU. Review the process for discussing laboratory results with the facility’s designated officer.

10 Liaise with the facility and laboratory regarding specimen collection and transport.

11 Identify persons/institutions requiring notification of the outbreak:

Families of ill or all residents in the facility,

Health care providers, e.g., GPs, physiotherapists

Infectious disease physicians

Infection control practitioners

Emergency departments and medical superintendents

Coroner’s office

Other RCFs

12 Discuss whether a media release is appropriate.

13 Consider preparing a ministerial briefing.

14 Discuss whether/how to organise vaccination of un-immunised residents and staff.

15 Discuss the use of antiviral medications for treatment of cases and/or prophylaxis of well residents and un-immunised staff.

16 Decide how frequently the OIMT will meet and set next meeting.

17 Prepare and distribute an incident report

No	Discussion point	Decision/Action to be to be taken (Tick if completed)	Person responsible
1	Formulate an outbreak name and working case definition
2	Define population at risk
3	Active case finding, request linelisting of residents and staff from the RCF
4	Discuss whether it is a facility-wide outbreak or unit-specific outbreak
5	Confirm how and when communications will take place between the facility and the PHU.
6	Review the control measures necessary to prevent the outbreak from spreading. Confirm that the management of the facility is responsible for ensuring that agreed control measures are in place and enforced.
7	Discuss what specimens have been collected. Notify the laboratory of the investigation.
8	Confirm the type and number of further laboratory specimens to be taken. Clarify which residents and staff should be tested.
9	Confirm that the laboratory will phone or fax results (both positive and negative) directly to the requesting doctor and this person will notify the PHU. Review the process for discussing laboratory results with the facility’s designated officer.
10	Liaise with the facility and laboratory regarding specimen collection and transport.
11	Identify persons/institutions requiring notification of the outbreak: Families of ill or all residents in the facility, Health care providers, e.g., GPs, physiotherapists Infectious disease physicians Infection control practitioners Emergency departments and medical superintendents Coroner’s office Other RCFs
12	Discuss whether a media release is appropriate.
13	Consider preparing a ministerial briefing.
14	Discuss whether/how to organise vaccination of un-immunised residents and staff.
15	Discuss the use of antiviral medications for treatment of cases and/or prophylaxis of well residents and un-immunised staff.
16	Decide how frequently the OIMT will meet and set next meeting.
17	Prepare and distribute an incident report