Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/56325
Title: | Preparedness of institutions around the world for managing patients with Ebola virus disease : an infection control readiness checklist |
Authors: | Tartari Bonnici, Ermira Allegranzi, Benedetta Ang, Brenda Sze Peng Calleja, Neville Collignon, Peter J. Hopman, Joost Lang, Lily Lee, Lai Chee Ling, Moi Lin Mehtar, Shaheen Tambyah, Paul Anantharajah Widmer, Andréas Franz X. Voss, Andreas |
Keywords: | Ebola virus disease -- Epidemics Ebola virus disease -- Symptoms Public health Ebola virus disease -- Treatment Medicine, Preventive Ebola virus disease -- Prevention |
Issue Date: | 2015 |
Publisher: | BioMed Central Ltd. |
Citation: | Tartari, E., Allegranzi, B., Ang, B., Calleja, N., Collignon, P., Hopman, J., ... & Tambyah, P. A. (2015). Preparedness of institutions around the world for managing patients with Ebola virus disease: an infection control readiness checklist. Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control, 4(1), 22. |
Abstract: | Background: In response to global concerns about the largest Ebola virus disease (EVD), outbreak to-date in West
Africa documented healthcare associated transmission and the risk of global spread, the International Society of
Chemotherapy (ISC) Infection Control Working Group created an Ebola Infection Control Readiness Checklist to
assess the preparedness of institutions around the globe. We report data from the electronic checklist that was
disseminated to medical professionals from October to December 2014 and identify action needed towards better
preparedness levels. Findings: Data from 192 medical professionals (one third from Africa) representing 125 hospitals in 45 countries around the globe were obtained through a specifically developed electronic survey. The survey contained 76 specific questions in 7 major sections: Administrative/operational support; Communications; Education and audit; Human resources, Supplies, Infection Prevention and Control practices and Clinical management of patients. The majority of respondents were infectious disease specialists/infection control consultants/clinical microbiologists (75; 39 %), followed by infection control professionals (59; 31 %) and medical doctors of other specialties (17; 9 %). Nearly all (149; 92 %) were directly involved in Ebola preparedness activities. Whilst, 54 % indicated that their hospital would need to handle suspected and proven Ebola cases, the others would subsequently transfer suspected cases to a specialized centre. Conclusion: The results from our survey reveal that the general preparedness levels for management of potentially suspected cases of Ebola virus disease is only partially adequate in hospitals. Hospitals designated for admitting EVD suspected and proven patients had more frequently implemented Infection Control preparedness activities than hospitals that would subsequently transfer potential EVD cases to other centres. Results from this first international survey provide a framework for future efforts to improve hospital preparedness worldwide. |
URI: | https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/56325 |
Appears in Collections: | Scholarly Works - FacM&SPH |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Preparedness_of_institutions_around_the_world_for_managing_patients_with_Ebola_virus_disease_2015.pdf | 1.17 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
Items in OAR@UM are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.