Download Newsletter - January 2016 - Grampians Region Health Collaborative

Infection Prevention and Control News
Grampians Region Infection Control Group
Emergency Department Triage
In conjunction with Ballarat Health Services we have
developed a GRICG Emergency Department Infectious
Disease Quick Reference Guide – this poster is designed
to help you think about infectious diseases when triaging
your ED patients.
Always ask if the presenting patient has been overseas
recently – it is important to maintain a level of alertness as
we are now faced with many emerging infectious diseases
and multi resistant microorganisms.
If you do not have a poster in ED please ask your ICP.
January 2016: Is s u e N o . 5 4
Increase
in
Meningococcal
disease in Victoria
W
There has been an increase in the number of
notifications of Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD)
due to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W in Victoria,
with 10 cases notified in 2015. (4 in 2014, 1 in 2013)
 Most patients have been aged over 50 years and
have had atypical presentations, for example septic
arthritis or epiglottitis. However there have also
been younger patients with septicaemia.
 Consider testing for Invasive Meningococcal
Disease in older patients who may have atypical
presentations of the disease (septic arthritis,
pneumonia, epiglottitis).
 Follow existing vaccine recommendations for
prevention of Invasive Meningococcal Disease.
Notify the department immediately on 1300 651 160
(24 hours a day) of all suspected and confirmed cases
of IMD (Reference: Chief Health Officer Advisory Sept 2015)
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Code Brown Templates
Two new templates have been developed for use by
Health Services. The sub plans within the Grampians
Region Health Emergency Management Plan describe the
actions your HS staff need to take in the event of a special
disease event such as pandemic influenza or EVD.
Any public or private health service or residential aged
care facility is invited to use these templates to develop a
Code Brown Plan to suit your needs. These sub plans are
a template that can be adjusted to suit your local
requirements - Contact your ICP for more details.
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