Shelter Quells Triple Outbreak Amidst LA Fires
- A look at how collaborative leadership adn rigorous protocols contained norovirus, flu, and COVID-19 among evacuees.
- During the Los Angeles County fires this past January, infection control presented a notable challenge at the Pasadena convention center shelter.
- Matthew Feaster, PhD, division manager of Disease Control and Epidemiology at pasadena Department of Public Health, shared his experiance: "Oh, man, it really affected me," he said, reflecting...
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Effective Infection control Strategies Combat outbreaks in Emergency shelter
Table of Contents
- Effective Infection control Strategies Combat outbreaks in Emergency shelter
- Infection Control in Emergency Shelters: Q&A on Pasadena’s Success
- Table of Contents
- What were the primary infection control challenges at the Pasadena shelter?
- What outbreaks occurred at the Pasadena shelter during the LA County fires?
- How did collaborative leadership contribute to managing the outbreaks?
- How was handwashing promoted and facilitated in the shelter?
- How was compliance with infection control measures enforced?
- What medical support was available at the Pasadena shelter?
- How were toys handled to prevent the spread of infection among children?
- Key Takeaways
- Summary of Infection Control measures
A look at how collaborative leadership adn rigorous protocols contained norovirus, flu, and COVID-19 among evacuees.
During the Los Angeles County fires this past January, infection control presented a notable challenge at the Pasadena convention center shelter. A public health expert on-site noted the difficulties in maintaining hygiene among the children.
Matthew Feaster, PhD, division manager of Disease Control and Epidemiology at pasadena Department of Public Health, shared his experiance: “Oh, man, it really affected me,” he said, reflecting on the infectious disease prevention measures implemented for wildfire evacuees. “The kids in the shelter need somthing to play with, but in theory, they can’t share their plushy toys as that plushy could have norovirus on it.”
To mitigate the risk, toys were assigned individually and disinfected regularly. Feaster emphasized, “We want our shelter neighbors to have an enjoyable experience but also a safe one.”
This measure was part of a broader strategy to combat a triple outbreak of norovirus, flu, and COVID-19 among approximately 700 evacuees, many of whom were already vulnerable. The success of this infection control hinged on collaboration, strong leadership, a focus on a pro-health environment, and strict cleaning procedures.
Thorough Clinical Operations
The City of pasadena initially managed the shelter during the first week of the fires. The American Red Cross took over operations the following Monday.
Within days, the shelter housed about 1100 evacuees, many from assisted living facilities, according to Timothy dahlum, the Red Cross complex site manager. He noted the unique challenges: “This was more challenging than the average shelter as of the volume of people, many of them medically fragile. We don’t normally have multiple medical clinics available at a shelter. We have basic first aid and some basic client care but full-on medical care is done offsite.”
To meet the needs of the Pasadena evacuees, on-site clinical operations were significantly enhanced.Dahlum explained, “Pasadena had three full-time, 24-hour pharmacies, anywhere from three to ten medical doctors on site at any given time, and 20 or more nurses on staff at all times.” The medical staff primarily came from Kaiser Permanente and Altamed, along with some red Cross personnel.
The Critical Role of Collaborative Leadership in Outbreak Management
The first norovirus case emerged shortly after the Red Cross assumed control. Dahlum reported, “By Wednesday, we had 36 cases reported.”
Feaster emphasized the rapid response: “We stepped in immediately because we know norovirus is among the most infectious and unpleasant viruses.” His department had already anticipated a higher-than-average norovirus season, coinciding with a regional influenza spike.
With the Red Cross leading the shelter, Feaster stressed the importance of clear and collaborative leadership to optimize the system’s “ad hoc” nature. “It was a big lesson to learn for me, which is that it’s a system with a lot of players and you really need to prepare to work with all of them,” he stated.
Medical personnel from both health systems actively engaged with evacuees, explaining the necessity of protocols like masking and hand washing. Twice-daily huddles facilitated real-time adjustments to clinical operations, particularly as norovirus cases increased.
Michele Lampshire, BSN, RN, senior director of infection prevention at Kaiser Permanente Southern California, highlighted the importance of handwashing: “The most effective way to stop the spread of norovirus is handwashing. We had about 12 handwashing stations left over from something else we’d been working on, so we just said the shelter could have them.”
Dahlum ensured the swift delivery of a dozen portable sinks.He also participated in the daily huddles, stating, “I was there to understand exactly what they were trying to do. They would all decide what was the best process and then I had to figure out how to implement it.”
Enforcing Compliance with Infection Control measures
Balancing safety and comfort was crucial. Compliance with infection control protocols was encouraged through education rather than strict enforcement.
Dahlum explained the Red Cross approach: “we have to make sure everybody’s part of the process. You don’t just tell people what to do,you explain why we’re doing something. You never just walk into a room and start giving orders to people. It’s walking into the room, talking to people, going cot to cot, to make sure that everybody understands.”
Feaster noted that understanding
Infection Control in Emergency Shelters: Q&A on Pasadena’s Success
Learn how Pasadena’s shelter effectively managed outbreaks of norovirus,flu,and COVID-19 during the Los Angeles county fires.
Table of Contents
- What where the primary infection control challenges at the Pasadena shelter?
- What outbreaks occurred at the Pasadena shelter during the LA County fires?
- How did collaborative leadership contribute to managing the outbreaks?
- How was handwashing promoted and facilitated in the shelter?
- How was compliance with infection control measures enforced?
- What medical support was available at the Pasadena shelter?
- How were toys handled to prevent the spread of infection among children?
- Key Takeaways
What were the primary infection control challenges at the Pasadena shelter?
Maintaining hygiene among a large number of evacuees, including vulnerable populations like children and those from assisted living facilities, posed a significant challenge. Specifically, preventing the spread of infectious diseases like norovirus, flu, and COVID-19 required stringent measures within the shelter environment.
- Difficulty in ensuring hygiene among children.
- Managing the medical needs of a large, medically fragile population.
- Preventing the transmission of highly infectious diseases.
What outbreaks occurred at the Pasadena shelter during the LA County fires?
The pasadena shelter experienced a triple outbreak of:
- Norovirus
- Flu (Influenza)
- COVID-19
These outbreaks occurred among approximately 700 evacuees.
How did collaborative leadership contribute to managing the outbreaks?
Collaborative leadership, particularly between the American Red Cross, Pasadena Department of Public Health, Kaiser Permanente, and Altamed, was crucial. Key aspects included:
- Clear Interaction: Regular, twice-daily huddles allowed for real-time adjustments to clinical operations.
- Shared Understanding: Medical personnel actively engaged with evacuees to explain the necessity of protocols like masking and handwashing.
- Defined Roles: The Red Cross took the lead in shelter operations, while the Pasadena Department of Public Health provided expertise in disease control.
- Resource Provision: Organizations like Kaiser Permanente donated resources such as portable handwashing stations.
How was handwashing promoted and facilitated in the shelter?
Handwashing was identified as a critical measure to prevent the spread of norovirus. Key actions included:
- Providing Handwashing Stations: Twelve portable handwashing stations were quickly delivered to the shelter.
- Education: Medical staff explained the importance of handwashing to evacuees,ensuring they understood why it was necessary.
How was compliance with infection control measures enforced?
Compliance was encouraged through education and understanding rather than strict enforcement. The red cross approach focused on:
- Education and clarification: Explaining the reasons behind the protocols to ensure everyone understood and participated.
- Personal Engagement: Talking to people individually, cot to cot, to ensure understanding and address concerns.
What medical support was available at the Pasadena shelter?
The Pasadena shelter had enhanced on-site clinical operations, including:
- Full-time, 24-hour pharmacies
- Three to ten medical doctors on-site at any given time
- 20 or more nurses on staff at all times
The medical staff primarily came from Kaiser Permanente and Altamed, along with Red Cross personnel.
How were toys handled to prevent the spread of infection among children?
To mitigate the risk of spreading norovirus from shared toys, the following measures were implemented:
- Individual Assignment: Toys were assigned to individual children.
- Regular Disinfection: Toys were regularly disinfected to eliminate potential pathogens.
Key Takeaways
The accomplished management of infection outbreaks at the Pasadena shelter highlights the importance of collaborative leadership, thorough medical support, and proactive infection control measures. Education and engagement were crucial in ensuring compliance and protecting the health of vulnerable evacuees.
Summary of Infection Control measures
| Measure | Description | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Handwashing Stations | Twelve portable sinks were provided. | To promote frequent handwashing among evacuees. |
| Toy Management | Toys were individually assigned and regularly disinfected. | To prevent the spread of infection among children. |
| medical Support | 24/7 pharmacies, doctors, and nurses were on-site. | To provide immediate medical care and monitor health conditions. |
| Education & Engagement | Explaining protocols and engaging with evacuees personally. | To ensure understanding and compliance with infection control measures. |