Management of person(s) with DIARRHOEA on first day of illness

Care Home Staff/Manager

• Report to staff member in charge
• Start a stool and fluid balance chart, maintain and check regularly
• Implement infection control precautions (see page 2)
• Gather information for General Practitioner (GP) (see page 2)
• Contact GP to request a review of unwell person(s) If requested by GP take faecal sample (see page 2)
• Encourage person to drink water and other fluids
• Administer oral rehydration solutions as prescribed by the GP
• Monitor for signs of condition worsening e.g. blood pressure < 100 mmHg systolic and pulse > 100 beats per minute

General Practitioner

• Review patient using information provided by care home
• Determine if hospitalisation required
• Consider cause of diarrhoea
• Advise care home staff on next steps e.g. take faecal sample
• Advise on any changes to regular medication
• Contact Care Home Manager or deputy to advise of CDI result
• Advise on need for continued isolation if CDI negative or unconfirmed