Vaccination can help in the geriatric population. Orders for pain relievers, decongestants, and cough suppressants may indicate that an outbreak of influenza is beginning. Once the outbreak has started, vaccination may not help. If serious, quarantine may be advisable to protect residents from further exposure. Orders for lindane or pyrethrins indicate scabies or lice.
Quick action is needed to ensure that appropriate housekeeping and hygiene methods are instituted.
Orders for tuberculosis medications indicate tuberculosis. Screening other residents or staff members is essential to catch contact cases early. Orders for antidiarrheals may indicate food poisoning or bacterial contagions. If patterns occur, careful assessment is needed to prevent morbidity due to dehydration and malabsorption. The sooner an outbreak is identified and the investigation begins, the better the chance of identifying a source and controlling the spread.