Managing outbreaks in residential aged care

In aged care services, infectious illness may spread from resident to resident, resulting in what we refer to as an outbreak.

Outbreaks of infectious illness in residential aged care services are a risk to the health and wellbeing of residents, staff, and families. 

There are many things an aged care service can do to limit the likelihood of respiratory or gastroenteritis illnesses spreading between residents. 

This document walks you through how to review and prepare for responding to outbreaks of infectious illness. Based on the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s (IHI) model for improvement, this approach can be adapted to your service. It will support you to make meaningful changes that lead to measurable improvements.