The Laboratory Medicine and the care of patients infected by the Ebola virus. Experience in a reference hospital of Madrid, Spain

Abstract

The ongoing Ebola virus outbreak in several countries in West Africa was considered by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a public health emergency of international concern. Healthcare providers must be prepared by organising specific procedures in our hospitals based on recommendations from national and international healthcare organisations. Two aims should be considered: appropriate medical care for patients with suspected or confirmed disease must be ensured, as must measures to prevent transmission to healthcare workers. The clinical laboratory plays an important role and must define and establish its own procedures in accordance with clinicians and integrated into those of the institution, starting with the definition of the organisation model in the laboratory to achieve those goals. In this review we present our experience based on the care of three patients with confirmed cases. We hope it will help other colleagues to plan for Ebola.