Patient Safety Topic

Infection Prevention — Norovirus

Overview

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Recurring, annual attacks of norovirus affect resident/patient and staff safety, disrupt healthcare facility operations, and may result in financial and operational burden to facilities. Key components of an outbreak prevention/containment program include addressing risk factors that increase the potential for norovirus infection and applying best practices to identify and control an acute gastroenteritis outbreak.

Articles

 

Educational Tools

Norovirus Preparedness Checklist
This sample checklist is designed to assist facilities with assessment of facility-specific preparedness plan activities, basic precautions, enhanced precautions, and outcome and process measures.

Acute Gastroenteritis Outbreaks Case Log
Facilities can use this sample log to determine common factors about any acute gastroenteritis outbreaks and collect information in a timely, reliable, and organized method..

Norovirus Preparedness: Outcome and Process Measures Worksheet
This sample worksheet may be used for documenting facility-specific process and outcome measures associated with norovirus.

Stop the Spread of Norovirus Poster (Clinicians)
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus and the principal cause of worldwide acute gastroenteritis epidemics in all age groups. This poster can help ensure healthcare facilities and their staff are better equipped to respond to norovirus. Users can download the clinician poster below (set to print at 18 x 24 inches).

Stop the Spread of Norovirus Poster (Patients)
Norovirus is a highly contagious gastrointestinal illness, also referred to as the “stomach flu.” This poster can help patients protect themselves from norovirus. Users can download the patient and consumer poster below (set to print at 18 x 24 inches).​

Multimedia

The Patient Safety Authority (PSA) makes available its past webinars and other presentations about a variety of patient safety topics, including healthcare-associated infections, through its YouTube channel.

 Norovirus Prevention: Tips from the Toolkit

 
 
 

 Designing a Norovirus Prevention and Rapid Response Program: An Evidence-Based Approach

 
 
 

Safety Tips for Patients