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. 2012 Jan 28:12:27.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2334-12-27.

Infection control management of patients with suspected highly infectious diseases in emergency departments: data from a survey in 41 facilities in 14 European countries

Francesco M Fusco  1 , Stefan Schilling, Giuseppina De Iaco, Hans-Reinhard Brodt, Philippe Brouqui, Helena C Maltezou, Barbara Bannister, René Gottschalk, Gail Thomson, Vincenzo Puro, Giuseppe Ippolito; EuroNHID Working Group
Collaborators, Affiliations

Infection control management of patients with suspected highly infectious diseases in emergency departments: data from a survey in 41 facilities in 14 European countries

Francesco M Fusco et al. BMC Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Background: In Emergency and Medical Admission Departments (EDs and MADs), prompt recognition and appropriate infection control management of patients with Highly Infectious Diseases (HIDs, e.g. Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers and SARS) are fundamental for avoiding nosocomial outbreaks.

Methods: The EuroNHID (European Network for Highly Infectious Diseases) project collected data from 41 EDs and MADs in 14 European countries, located in the same facility as a national/regional referral centre for HIDs, using specifically developed checklists, during on-site visits from February to November 2009.

Results: Isolation rooms were available in 34 facilities (82,9%): these rooms had anteroom in 19, dedicated entrance in 15, negative pressure in 17, and HEPA filtration of exhausting air in 12. Only 6 centres (14,6%) had isolation rooms with all characteristics. Personnel trained for the recognition of HIDs was available in 24 facilities; management protocols for HIDs were available in 35.

Conclusions: Preparedness level for the safe and appropriate management of HIDs is partially adequate in the surveyed EDs and MADs.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Distribution of level of adequacy for (a) isolation rooms, (b) features and procedures for infection control, (c) strategies for early recognition of HIDs (specifically trained staff or other procedures), in 41 EDs and MADs.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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