Outbreak

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Get your pom poms ready
Outbreak Pep Rally
Presented by Stefanie Ralph RN, BScN, CIC
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Setting the Stage

• History Rate of 0 cases per 1000 patient days
  consistently
• Feb 29 2 cases of VRE linked to the same unit
  (3B)
• March 3 Point prevalence reveals 3 more cases.
• March 4 - March 20 Total of 20 cases were
  identified

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A Sampling of Control Measures

• Project clean and decluttering
• Point prevalence survey every 3 days per PIDAC
• 3B closed to admissions (backlog of
  in-patients in ED)
• Surgical in-patients relocated to surgical day
  care
• Obstetrics, post natal, and nursery
  relocated/temporarily closed

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Challenges

• All departments affected
• Everyone worked very hard yet the case count
  continued to rise
• Physicians challenged with isolation practices
• Morale low
• Need for face to face communication with staff

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Challenges

• All departments affected
• Everyone worked very hard yet the case count
  continued to rise
• Physicians challenged with isolation practices
• Morale low
• Need for face to face communication with staff

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Few things in the world are more powerful than a
positive push. A smile. A word of optimism and
hope. A 'you can do it' when things are
tough Richard M. Devos
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Lets Cheer! Help 3B, no VRE Help 3B, no
VRE Help 3B, no VRE (now make some noise)
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How Did it End?

• March 22 March 26 6 additional cases (total
  of 26)
• March 31 3B unit reopened after a negative
  point prevalence survey
• April 14 Outbreak declared over

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Evaluation

• Outbreaks are stressful for everyone involved
• Upbeat messaging, fun, and silliness went a long
  way to keeping up staff morale
• NGH would use this technique again
• Staff still talk about the pep rally

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A leader is someone who creates infectious
enthusiasm Ted Turner