Infection Control Practices, Added Test Measure Could Contain Norovirus Outbreak

Researchers found infection control measures with an added test may be useful in controlling transmission of norovirus, according to an article published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.

From Nov. 2009-Feb. 2010, in addition to staff education and promotion of hand hygiene, reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction for norovirus was performed as an added test. The incidence of hospital-acquired norovirus infection per 1,000 potentially infectious patient-days was compared with the corresponding period in the previous 12 months.

Of the 988 patients who were tested, 242 (25 percent) tested positive for norovirus; 114 (47 percent) of the infected 242 patients had their infection detected by the added test. Compared with the corresponding period in the previous 12 months, the incidence of hospital-acquired norovirus infection decreased from 131 to 16 cases per 1,000 potentially infectious patient-days, according to the study.

Read the study about norovirus prevention.

Read other coverage about norovirus:

- Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection: What Infection Preventionists Need to Know

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