Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has updated its virus-detection process after a norovirus outbreak affected members of its staff, according to a Philadelphia Daily News report.
The Pennsylvania Health Department conducted an investigation in May after 19 members of CHOP's nursing staff fell ill with norovirus, a highly contagious illness. The investigation found hospital procedures were not followed in three main instances: When a patient's mother displayed norovirus symptoms in March, infection control was not notified; the room of a patient who had norovirus in April was not properly cleaned with bleach; and staff members who were out sick with norovirus were not told to follow hospital protocol by staying home until they were symptom-free for 48 hours, according to the Daily News.
"The process-improvements that are now in place will help to support CHOP's broader preparations, currently under way, to address the potential posed by the most recent viral outbreaks," a hospital statement said, according to the Daily News.
The statement also notes that process improvements are "an important part of early virus detection and that ongoing training is essential to ensure patient and staff safety."