In the midst of the Los Angeles County fires, a shelter was swiftly established in Pasadena's convention center to accommodate evacuees. With approximately 1,100 individuals, many from assisted living facilities, the shelter became a temporary refuge. Initially managed by the City of Pasadena, the operation was soon handed over to the American Red Cross. This transition marked a significant shift in managing a challenging situation: an outbreak of norovirus, flu, and COVID-19 among the evacuees. The Red Cross played an integral role in implementing stringent infection control measures that ultimately quelled the triple viral threat.
The first case of norovirus was detected just a day after the Red Cross took over operations. The shelter's population soared to about 1,100 evacuees within days of its opening. To tackle the outbreak, a rigorous cleaning routine was established, focusing on hygiene and infection control. The collaboration among various stakeholders, including medical staff from organizations like Kaiser Permanente and Altamed, alongside Red Cross clinical personnel, proved crucial in mitigating the viral spread.
Infection Control Measures and Leadership
The shelter's leadership emphasized transparency and collaboration in decision-making processes. Timothy Dahlum, a key figure in the shelter's operations, underscored the importance of understanding and implementing effective processes.
“I was there to understand exactly what they were trying to do,” – Timothy Dahlum
Dahlum further explained the approach taken to ensure everyone was part of the solution.
“We have to make sure everybody’s part of the process,” – Timothy Dahlum
“You don’t just tell people what to do, you explain why we’re doing something. You never just walk into a room and start giving orders to people. It’s walking into the room, talking to people, going cot to cot, to make sure that everybody understands.” – Timothy Dahlum
The shelter implemented twice-daily huddles to share information and make real-time adjustments. This approach facilitated swift responses to emerging challenges and ensured that all staff were aligned in their efforts.
Handwashing: A Crucial Defense
One of the most effective strategies for controlling norovirus, flu, and COVID-19 was promoting hand hygiene. Michele Lampshire highlighted the critical role of handwashing in preventing the spread of infections.
“The most effective way to stop the spread of norovirus is handwashing,” – Michele Lampshire
To support this initiative, 12 handwashing stations were set up around the shelter.
“We had about 12 handwashing stations left over from something else we’d been working on, so we just said the shelter could have them.” – Michele Lampshire
These stations became focal points for education and prevention efforts, reinforcing the importance of personal hygiene among evacuees and staff alike.
Implementing Comprehensive Infection Control
The shelter's infection control measures extended beyond handwashing. Separate areas were designated for isolating flu cases to prevent cross-infection with COVID-19.
“Flu cases were also isolated in either a hotel or separate hall that was designated later. Flu is not as infectious as COVID so the need to isolate in a hotel was less,” – Matthew Feaster
Additionally, a policy prevented children from sharing toys, with a system in place for disinfecting toys assigned to them. This measure aimed to curb the spread of norovirus among young evacuees.
The collaborative efforts resulted in effective interventions that quickly brought the situation under control. Terri “T” Rebmann commended the shelter's success in managing the outbreak.
“To me it sounds very impressive that they were able to do it, to get it under control that quickly, and in a setting such as an evacuation shelter, to me is just very impressive.” – Terri “T” Rebmann
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