Sounding the Alert The first signs of an outbreak vary from case to case and are usually overlooked. Eventually, when an attentive health care provider notices a pattern, the staff becomes aware and the outbreak becomes a reality. Pharmacists who employ surveillance methods routinely can be leaders in terms of identification and control of outbreaks. Table 1 lists some alerting orders and trends that signal potential problems. For instance, outbreaks are disruptive to employee morale in even the best facilities, because they represent additional work and intense monitoring.
Outbreaks can be expensive to treat, especially if they are difficult to control.
Outbreaks are time-consuming for all members of the team, who must take action to identify the source. Depending on the type, outbreaks may focus unwanted media attention on the facility. That May Indicate Infectious Outbreak Patterns of antibiotic use may indicate that pneumonia or upper respiratory illness is a problem. Vaccination can help in the geriatric population. Orders for pain relievers, decongestants, and cough suppressants may indicate that an outbreak of influenza is beginning.