HEPATITIS A HOUSING PROGRAM: PREVENTING THE SPREAD

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2018

Given the unique problem of a hepatitis A outbreak among unsheltered residents of San Diego County, patients with hepatitis A who were still infectious when they were released from a hospital needed housing to recover until they were no longer infectious. A novel approach was taken to provide temporary shelter to prevent the spread of hepatitis A by infectious patients who otherwise had no other housing options. This housing program provided temporary single room occupancy at a local hotel with a private bathroom and meal delivery service. The services have been provided to 11 infectious unsheltered patients as of January 26, 2018 as they were discharged from area hospitals for the duration of their infectious period. The multidisciplinary collaboration included administrative, operations, legal counsel, public safety and disease investigation units throughout the County of San Diego.