Infectious diseases have the potential to spread readily and quickly in residential care facility (RCF) settings, as people live in close proximity, there are high levels of contact with staff and visitors, facilities may be shared, and residents may have physical or mental disabilities that impact on hygiene. In some settings, such as aged care, residents may also be more susceptible to infection because of health conditions that impair immunity.
Prevention and control of infectious diseases is a key function of the WA Department of Health, and the Department assists RCFs through a range of strategies, including:
- providing information on infectious disease issues to the residential care industry, via guidelines, fact sheets and other publications, and occasional seminars.
- providing advice on specific infectious disease issues, and monitoring and responding to disease outbreaks.
Management and staff of RCFs should be informed about strategies to minimise the risk of spread of infectious diseases among their residents.
Local Public Health Units (external link) should be notified if there is a suspected outbreak of gastroenteritis or influenza in a RCF.
Below are links by topic to recommended measures and guidelines for preventing and controlling the spread of infection within a RCF.
Other relevant information
Alerts