Outbreak Response in Healthcare Settings
Detect a cluster early, contain it, and investigate it without stopping the service.
Program overview
An outbreak is recognised late far more often than it is recognised early. This course covers the practical work of detection and response: what constitutes a cluster, how surveillance data signals one, immediate containment actions, cohorting and isolation decisions, case definition and line listing, communication with staff and families, and the process of declaring an outbreak over. It uses respiratory, gastrointestinal and multi-drug-resistant organism scenarios, and is written for the ward and department staff who usually notice first, not only for IPC teams.
Why this program
Written for the staff who notice first
Covers detection, containment and investigation
Includes case definition and line listing technique
Communication treated as a core response activity
Who it is for
Program objectives
- Define what constitutes an outbreak or cluster in a healthcare setting
- Identify the surveillance signals that precede formal recognition
- Apply immediate containment actions on suspicion of a cluster
- Construct a case definition and line list
- Describe cohorting, isolation and staff allocation decisions
- Plan communication to staff, patients and families during an outbreak
Learning outcomes
- Identify whether described cases constitute a cluster requiring escalation
- Apply immediate containment actions appropriate to the suspected organism
- Construct a case definition from a described scenario
- Differentiate cohorting from isolation and select appropriately
- Evaluate when an outbreak may be declared over
- Plan a communication approach for a described outbreak situation
Curriculum
Module 1: Recognising a Cluster
1 lessonsRecognising a ClusterPreview
Thresholds, surveillance signals and the delay problem.
Module 2: Immediate Containment
1 lessons- Immediate Containment
Module 3: Case Definition and Line Listing
1 lessons- Case Definition and Line Listing
Module 4: Managing the Ongoing Response
1 lessons- Managing the Ongoing Response
Module 5: Communication and Closure
1 lessons- Communication and Closure
Duration and structure
5 lessons across 5 modules. Duration is expressed in study hours.
What you receive
This certificate confirms completion of Outbreak Response in Healthcare Settings. Duration is expressed in study hours.
Delivery format
- Self-paced — start any time.
- Study on any device.
- Lifetime access to the version you enrolled in.