THE WATT GROUP REPORT
APPENDIX E INFECTION CONTROL OUTBREAK/EPISODE RISK MATRIX
An infection outbreak/episode (e.g., single case of rabies, Legionellae, Dentist/Doctor with confirmed Hepatitis B undertaking exposure prone procedures etc.) is difficult to incorporate into the existing AS/NZS 4360:1999 Risk Management Standard because although consequences of recurrence can be established it can be difficult to ascertain the likelihood of recurrence. The Infection Control Team will quantify the infection control risk criteria and ascertain the associated risk, which will determine the appropriate action to be taken.
Four infection risk categories can be identified: | Red - High Risk | Orange - Moderate Risk | Yellow - Low Risk | Green - Very Low Risk |
Criteria | Quantification Criteria | Risk Category | Action Required | Communications |
3 or more met | Death and/or serious illness
Major implications for public health
Exceptional or unusual infection episode
Major disruption of health and/or public services
Major public anxiety and concern | Red - High Risk | Implement Area Major Outbreak Plan | Full (e.g., Trust, Health Board, SCIEH, FSA, SEHD) and others as appropriate (e.g., Local Authority, Water Authority, SEPA, HSE etc.) |
1 or 2 met | Death and/or serious illness
Major implications for public health
Exceptional infection episode
Major disruption of health and/or public services
Major public anxiety and concern | Orange - Moderate Risk | Implement Trust Outbreak Plan - Full Outbreak Control Team | Full (e.g., Trust, Health Board, SCIEH, FSA, SEHD) and others as appropriate (e.g., local authority, water authority, SEPA, HSE etc.) |
3 or more met | Serious illness and/or moderate infection episode and/or cases
Moderate impact on public health
Short-term disruption of health and/or public services
Moderate public anxiety and concern | Yellow -Low Risk | Implement Trust Outbreak Plan - Infection Control Team | Trust and Health Board communications |
All 4 met | Minimal infection episode and/or case
Minimal impact on public health
Minimal disruption of health and/or public services
Minimal public anxiety and concern | Green - Very Low Risk | Implementation- Infection Control Team Investigation | Trust communications |
N.B. Infection risk category coding may vary slightly from Trust to Trust. No more than four risk categories should apply to this infection control risk matrix.