Management of Norovirus Gastroenteritis in Healthcare Settings

Course overview

Norovirus is the predominant cause of acute gastroenteritis, causing both sporadic cases and outbreaks. It is estimated to be the causative agent for over 23 million gastroenteritis cases occurring every year in the US. Norovirus gastroenteritis infections commonly occur in healthcare settings. In fact, healthcare institutions, such as hospitals and nursing homes, are the most frequently reported settings for norovirus outbreaks in the United States and other industrialized countries. Due to the high rates of infection, as well as the burden placed on healthcare institutions in caring for ill patients, infection prevention and control of norovirus is extremely important. This instructional course has been designed primarily for nurses and infection prevention and control practitioners working and caring for patients in healthcare settings. However, other care providers such as epidemiologists, healthcare administrators, environmental services, and other healthcare staff members will find the course information useful. The course is designed to be applicable to all healthcare settings and follows the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's latest HICPAC Guideline for the Prevention of Norovirus.