A recent report revealed that 66 cases of people infected with the Zika virus have been identified in the United Kingdom since 2015 and more could be on the way as people return from holidays in South America and the Caribbean1.
This sends us a strong message that we are in an increasingly globalised world and Healthcare Risk Managers need to pull everyone together to fight further spread. My top tips below focus on preparation, communication, and education:
Preparation:
- Assemble a designated team: Start with a dedicated team of professionals with the goal of providing efficient infection surveillance and testing guidelines
- Effective screening: Patient intake screens must prompt clinical staff to inquire about possible virus exposure, be it from recent travel to affected regions and/or sexual contact with suspected or known carriers
- Assess medical surge capabilities: Prepare yourselves with essential resources in the event of an influx of high-risk pregnancies and infants born with the effects of Zika
Communication:
- Initiate an internal communication campaign: This includes providing up to date surveillance, communicating prevention initiatives to healthcare providers and leaders and reaching out to local communities
- Alert patients of travel advisories: Use the World Health Organisation or equivalent government body as reference for the latest travel notices to advise anyone travelling to affected countries of the risk of infection
Education:
- Train clinical and lab staff on the threat of virus exposure and modes of transmission
- Reinforce mosquito bite prevention: Advise patients on taking every precaution possible to maximise bite prevention
- Promote the practice of safe sex
The key point is to establish an organised system informing healthcare providers on infection control directives, counsel colleagues on preparedness measures and ensure that prevention strategies are effectively in place.
Getting these foundations right can also build a strong precedent for preventing the spread of other major infections.
But what happens if we get something wrong in the provision of healthcare and patients suffer harm as a result? This will be the focus of my next blog where I will discuss the challenges presented by putting duty of candour into practise and getting it right.
For further information, click here to read our AlertBulletin®: Zika Virus: Proactive Measures Can Help Curb An Emerging Disease
1Report on UK Patients diagnosed with Zika Virus: http://ow.ly/QmC0303vevm
For more information on some of the educational services we can provide, see our School of Risk Control Excellence (SORCE) Catalogue.
I’m Caroline White. I’m the Risk Control Director for International Healthcare at CNA Hardy and have over 25 years’ experience in the Healthcare sector. Follow CNA Hardy’s blog series on LinkedIn.