The Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan for the Health Sector

3.3 Timely diagnosis and management of an influenza outbreak
within the LTCF
The early detection of any outbreak occurring in a LTCF is essential to implement control
measures and to stop the diffusion of the disease. In a pandemic situation, the first case of
confirmed influenza would likely lead to outbreak management for pandemic influenza.
Every LTCF should have in place surveillance for the early detection and control of an
outbreak. This includes 88 :
1) Preparation of a written plan for the management of an influenza outbreak, avoiding
unnecessary delays. This will include the identification of diagnostic tests, responsibilities
of medical and non-medical personnel, and use of antiviral medication.
2) Identification of personnel responsible for the surveillance and for the transmission of
information within the establishment. This will usually be the individual with responsibility
for infection control in the facility. The Public Health authorities will inform this individual
if influenza is circulating in the community and he/she will report to the authorities when
an outbreak has been detected in the facility.
3) Education of all staff and attending physicians in the importance of early identification
and notification if a case is suspected.
4) A response capacity maintained 7 days per week.
5) Specific reporting mechanisms and standardized data collection (Appendix 3.I).
Once the outbreak is confirmed, the authorities responsible should take all the measures
required to control the propagation of the virus within the facility (among the residents, and to
personnel and visitors; see Infection control guideline). Studies and treatment of patients will
be done in the area of the facility assigned for this purpose; and prophylactic treatment of
some residents may be initiated (following the existing framework for antiviral prioritization
during the pandemic).
Annex G 77