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Standardized Management of Patients and Employees Exposed to Pertussis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 March 2016

Donna J. Haiduven ,
Carmen P. Hench ,
Sandy M. Simpkins  and
David A. Stevens
Donna J. Haiduven
Affiliation:
Infection Control Department, Santa Clara County Health and Hospital System, San Jose, California
Carmen P. Hench
Affiliation:
Infection Control Department, Santa Clara County Health and Hospital System, San Jose, California
Sandy M. Simpkins
Affiliation:
Infection Control Department, Santa Clara County Health and Hospital System, San Jose, California
David A. Stevens*
Affiliation:
Infection Control Department, Santa Clara County Health and Hospital System, San Jose, California
*
Department of Medicine, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, 751 S Bascom Ave, San Jose, CA 95128-2699
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Abstract

Waning pertussis immunity and spread of pertussis by asymptomatic adults contributes to increased pertussis exposures of vulnerable children. The Santa Clara Valley Medical Center had 49 pertussis exposures between July 1, 1989, and June 30, 1997, which originated in pediatric units or clinics and had an impact on the Employee Health Service (EHS) and Emergency Department (ED). We have developed a standardized protocol for management of employees and patients exposed to pertussis. The protocol includes a checklist for infection control staff; memoranda to exposed units conveying exposure information, instructions for employees to report to EHS or ED, and disease symptom information; written guidelines for physician management of patient exposures (prophylaxis and isolation) and EHS or ED management of employee exposures; and prophylaxis recommendations. We allow exposed employees to work while wearing a mask (worn until 5 days of prophylaxis are completed or for the entire potential contagious period if prophylaxis was refused). Employees who develop pertussis are restricted from work. Our protocol and standardized forms provide consistent management of pertussis exposures in both patients and employees.

Type
Topics in Occupational Medicine
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 19 , Issue 11 , November 1998 , pp. 861 - 864
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1998

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