Information and/or Treatment Request Letters for Relatives, Staff, GPs
and Pharmacists
To All Staff .............................................................................................................................. 2
GP. Staff with Symptoms ...................................................................................................... 3
GP. Patient Close Contact ..................................................................................................... 4
Designation:Dear Pharmacist ............................................................................................... 5
Patient Has Rash - Relative Letter ........................................................................................ 6
Patient with NO Rash - Relative Letter ................................................................................. 7
Scabies Skin Monitoring form for all Staff and Patients…………………………………….8
Page 1 of 8
Parasitic Infestations SOP– forms//September 2015
To All Staff
You may be aware that a number of patients (and staff) have reported skin rashes
on the ward. The Medical Team has confirmed that this is due to scabies.
Scabies is a very common infection and spreads from person to person by touch.
People are infectious whist they are incubating scabies and because the incubation
period can be very long it is easy to see why it can be spread so easily. Therefore it
is essential we treat everyone involved at the same time.
We have discussed with Occupational Health and the Infection Prevention and Control Team
how best to manage this. If you have a rash you will be given a letter by the Nurse or Ward
Manager to ask your GP to confirm you have scabies. When you have been diagnosed you will
be offered two treatments, each one week apart. The scabicide preparation will be provided by
the Pharmacy on a named person basis.
It is absolutely essential that all your household contacts be treated when you receive
your first treatment. If you do not ensure this happens then you may become
re-infected from a member of your household.
Staff with rashes will also be given letters to show the GP who cares for their
household contacts, explaining why treatment is necessary.
If you do not have a rash you will be given one treatment from the Pharmacy on
a named person basis, but we will not expect your household contacts to be treated.
Your co-operation in this is essentially and greatly appreciated.
A copy of the Scabies Policy is available on the Trust website, or you may contact me
if you have any queries.
Yours sincerely
Designation:
Page 2 of 8
Parasitic Infestations SOP– forms//September 2015
GP. Staff with Symptoms
Dear Dr
Management of a Scabies Outbreak on ……………..Ward…………………Hospital
The Medical Team and the Infection Prevention and Control Team are advising the above ward
where cases of scabies have been diagnosed. Both patients and members of staff are affected.
Your patient, ……………………………DOB……… of Address ……………………………is
complaining of a rash and or irritation. If following examination you believe this may be due to
scabies please could you sign and date this letter below and return it to your patient, who will
then be provided with a scabicide preparation by the Trusts pharmacy department.
Your co-operation is greatly appreciated.
If you have any queries about this letter please contact the ward.
Yours sincerely
Designation:
I confirm that I have examined………………………………………………………………
and diagnose that he/she is infected with scabies.
Signature:
Print Name:
Date:
Page 3 of 8
Parasitic Infestations SOP– forms//September 2015
GP Patient Close Contact
Dear Dr
Management of a Scabies Outbreak on ……………..Ward…………………Hospital
The Medical Team and the Infection Prevention and Control Team are advising the above ward
where cases of scabies have been diagnosed. Both patients and members of staff are affected.
Your patient is a close contact of a member of staff who has a rash and symptoms of scabies.
The staff member is receiving treatment via the Trust. We would therefore be very grateful if
your patient, as a close contact could be treated with an appropriate scabicide.
As you know scabies has a long incubation period – up to five weeks – and patients
who are incubating can pass the infection on before a rash appears.
To manage and control scabies it is essential all close contacts of those with rashes
are treated once, even when they have no symptoms.
Your co-operation is greatly appreciated.
If you have any queries about this letter please contact the ward.
Yours sincerely
Designation:
Page 4 of 8
Parasitic Infestations SOP– forms//September 2015
Dear Pharmacist
Management of a Scabies Outbreak on ……………..Ward…………………Hospital
I confirm that ………………………………………………………..is a member of staff
and a close contact of an infected patient on the above ward
Please dispense a topical scabicide.
Your co-operation is greatly appreciated.
If you have any queries I can be contacted on ……………………………………………
Yours sincerely
Designation:
Page 5 of 8
Parasitic Infestations SOP– forms//September 2015
Patient Has Rash - Relative Letter
Dear Relative
You will be aware that your _______________ has been complaining of a rash and
irritation.
The Medical team now think this may be due to scabies and we will be commencing
treatment. Scabies as you know is an infectious condition and is passed from person
to person by touch. People who are incubating the infection can pass it on. In a ward
such as this all patients are treated just in case they are incubating the infection.
If you have been in close contact with __________________________. then it is
advisable for you to contact your GP to be prescribed appropriate treatment.
A copy of the Scabies Policy is available on the Trust website or you may contact the
ward if you have any queries.
Yours sincerely
Designation:
Page 6 of 8
Parasitic Infestations SOP– forms//September 2015
Patient with NO Rash - Relative Letter
Dear Relative
You may be aware that some patients on the ward have been complaining of skin
rashes and irritation. The Medical Team now think this may be due to scabies and we
will be commencing treatment.
Scabies as you know is an infectious condition and although your _______________
does not have a rash, we would like us to treat all patients. This is because the
incubation period for scabies is long and people are infectious whilst they are
incubating even though there is no rash.
A copy of the Scabies Policy is available on the Trust website or you may contact the
ward if you have any queries.
Yours sincerely
Designation:
Page 7 of 8
Parasitic Infestations SOP– forms//September 2015
Scabies Skin Monitoring form for all Staff and Patients
Name
Date rash
appeared
Appear
ance
of rash
Symptoms
e.g. itching,
excoriation
Areas
affected
Name of
scabicide
prescribed
Page 8 of 8
Number of
times used
and
when
Person with rash
is
immunocompromised
Person with
rash is
prescribed
steroids,
systemic or
topical