Cleaning Gastroenteritis Outbreak

Cleaning requirements in a gastroenteritis outbreak include

PPE Required 

Gloves

Mask 

Plastic or waterproof gown

Face shield or eye protection

Equipment 

Detergents and disinfectants - chlorine is the recommended disinfectant during a gastroenteritis outbreak 

A steam cleaner for soft furnishings  

Disposable mops and or cloths for cleaning vomit and or faeces

Use only cleaning items and equipment designated YELLOW for cleaning the isolation rooms 

DO NOT: Vacuum carpets or polish floors during a norovirus outbreak, as it may recirculate the infectious microbes.

NB: A safety data sheet will be provided by the residential aged care facility on the detergents and disinfectants to be used and how to use them.

Cleaning Different Surfaces 

Hard Surface: 3-Step Clean  

1) Clean with hot water and detergent

2) Apply 1000ppm of available chlorine, leave for 10 minutes, then rinse

3) Dry area                                                  

Soft Surface: 2-Step Clean, Then Steam Clean 

1) Clean with hot water and detergent

2) Clean with disinfectant

Steam clean soft surfaces, with a steam cleaner above 100°C 

NB: Equipment and items that cannot be effectively cleaned should be disposed of.  Approval may be required from family, resident, and managers of the facility.                   

 

Frequency of Cleaning 

Frequently touched surfaces (twice daily) 

Minimally touched surfaces (once daily)

Clean the visibly dusty or dirty surfaces and fittings as soon as possible 

Clean spills immediately

Shared workspaces should be cleaned and disinfected at the end of each employee's use

Terminal Cleaning Steps

Use terminal cleaning steps to remove the infecting microbes from the residents' room post isolation, transfer, death, or discharge.

1) Wear PPE 

2) Remove curtains and bed screens and take them for laundering; curtain hooks must be washed thoroughly with detergent and warm water, then dried thoroughly

3) Clean horizontal surfaces that may collect dust, such as wardrobe tops, shelves, sills, and light fittings

4) Clean walls

5) Clean bathroom fittings

6) Clean windows and mirrors using window cleaner

7) Wipe blind and allow to dry thoroughly before rolling up

8) Tie the yellow clinical waste bag securely

9) Place all used clothes in the yellow clinical waste bag

10) Colour-coded yellow mop head must be placed in the yellow clinical waste bag, labeled, and tied securely for collection and laundering

11) The yellow cleaning bucket must be thoroughly cleaned, dried, and stored upside down; wipe the mop handle with neutral detergent diluted according to the manufacturer's instructions

12) Remove PPE except for mask and place them into a clinical waste bag before leaving the room to reduce opportunities for cross-contamination

13) Wash hands thoroughly after removing protective clothing

14) Remove the mask outside the room and dispose of it in the clinical waste

15) In fresh PPE, re-hang clean curtains once completing the final clean

16) Remove PPE and perform hand hygiene