Healthcare-associated infections: Information for healthcare providers

Reporting instructions

What should be reported?

For the most updated list of conditions that healthcare providers are required to report to Public Health, please refer to this WA State Dept. of Health Notifiable Conditions reporting poster for health care providers/facilities (PDF).

How to report

Report cases of tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV/AIDS to their respective programs in Public Health.

Report suspected respiratory virus outbreaks in a long-term care facility to Public Health by using our REDCap reporting system within 24 hours when either:

1. COVID-19, Influenza, or RSV is diagnosed in at least one resident OR
2. More than one resident or staff in the facility or an area of the facility (e.g. separate unit) develops acute respiratory illness during a 72-hour period.

For all other conditions, contact the Communicable Disease Epidemiology and Immunization Section at 206-296-4774. 

Toolkits and checklists for facilities

• Respiratory illness preparation checklist (205 KB)
• Viral Respiratory Pathogens Toolkit for Nursing Homes, CDC
  Learn how to prevent the spread of respiratory illness in nursing homes by preparing with vaccination, testing, treatment, and applying infection prevention measures.

COVID-19 outbreak toolkits

• Skilled nursing facilities (nursing home) toolkit
• Residential care settings toolkit
• Homeless service provider outbreak toolkit
• SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control in healthcare settings toolkit (813 KB), DOH

Influenza outbreak toolkit

Use these resources to prepare for an outbreak, or to streamline processes during an outbreak.

• Before an outbreak
  • Checklist: Influenza outbreak preparation (171 KB)
  • Letter to nursing and medical directors (246 KB)
  • Recognizing signs and symptoms of influenza in the elderly (25 KB)
  • Template letter for residents in independent living (MS Word, 451 KB)
• During an outbreak
  • Checklist: Influenza outbreak management (190 KB)
  • Tracking form: Influenza illness line list (150 KB)
  • Influenza treatment vs. chemoprophylaxis
  • Testing and Management Considerations for Nursing Home Residents with Acute Respiratory Illness Symptoms when SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Viruses are Co-circulating, CDC
  • LTCF antiviral fax template (MS Word, 17 KB)
• Other resources
  • Antiviral medication guidance, CDC
  • Seasonal influenza infection control in health care facilities, CDC

Guidance for healthcare providers

Health advisories

Public Health – Seattle & King County emails timely Health Advisories to those who subscribe to our Info-X-Listserv. This is a free service for King County healthcare providers. Sign up to learn about ongoing outbreaks and other updates.

Vaccinations

When you work directly with patients or handle materials that could spread infection, it's important to get vaccinated to reduce the chances of getting others sick. Find out what vaccinations you need: What Vaccines are Recommended For You, CDC.

Resource materials

Illustrated flu fact sheet in multiple languages

• English (2.2 MB)
• ኢንፍሉዌንዛ (ወረርሽኝ ) (አማርኛ / Amharic, 1.2 MB)
• 流感 (简体中文 / Chinese, Simplified, 1.4 MB)
• 독감 (한국어 / Korean, 1.3 MB)
• Duray (Flu) (Af Soomaali / Somali, 1.3 MB)
• La influenza (gripe) (Español / Spanish, 1.2 MB)
• Bệnh cúm (Tiếng Việt / Vietnamese, 1.3 MB)

Flu Stops Here signs

Print out these signs for staff and visitors to prevent the spread of flu.

• The Flu Stops Here: Help Protect Our Residents (110 KB, for visitors)
• The Flu Stops Here: Attention Staff: Help Protect Our Residents (108 KB, for staff)

Stop Germs, Stay Healthy

The Stop Germs, Stay Healthy campaign promotes healthy habits to limit the spread of respiratory illnesses. Materials available in multiple languages.

COVID-19

COVID-19 resource materials for the community.