An influenza outbreak in a regional dementia specific residential facility: management issues.

Abstract

The management of an influenza A outbreak in a residential facility for cognitively impaired residents of a Victorian regional health service is described. Twenty-five residents of a 60 bed stand alone facility were affected with one fatality resulting. Because virological confirmation of the outbreak was received late on a Friday, the initiation of anti-viral treatment and prophylaxis occurred out of hours. The unanticipated consequences of this out of hours management are discussed. The management of an influenza outbreak in a dementia specific residential facility requires a specific infection control response that anticipates the ethical issues relating to the care of the cognitively impaired.