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Foundations of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Preparedness and Response Plan for Healthcare Facilities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Arjun Srinivasan ,
Lawrence C. McDonald ,
Daniel Jernigan ,
Rita Helfand ,
Kathleen Ginsheimer ,
John Jernigan ,
Linda Chiarello ,
Raymond Chinn ,
Umesh Parashar  and
Larry Anderson
...Show all authors
Arjun Srinivasan*
Affiliation:
Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
Lawrence C. McDonald
Affiliation:
Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
Daniel Jernigan
Affiliation:
Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
Rita Helfand
Affiliation:
Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
Kathleen Ginsheimer
Affiliation:
Maine Bureau of Health, Augusta, Maine
John Jernigan
Affiliation:
Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
Linda Chiarello
Affiliation:
Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
Raymond Chinn
Affiliation:
Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, California
Umesh Parashar
Affiliation:
Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
Larry Anderson
Affiliation:
Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
Denise Cardo
Affiliation:
Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
*
Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-A35, Atlanta, GA 30333
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Abstract

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Objective:

To help facilities prepare for potential future cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Design and Participants:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), assisted by members of professional societies representing public health, healthcare workers, and healthcare administrators, developed guidance to help facilities both prepare for and respond to cases of SARS.

Interventions:

The recommendations in the CDC document were based on some of the important lessons learned in healthcare settings around the world during the SARS outbreak of 2003, including that (1) a SARS outbreak requires a coordinated and dynamic response by multiple groups; (2) unrecognized cases of SARS-associated coronavirus are a significant source of transmission; (3) restricting access to the healthcare facility can minimize transmission; (4) airborne infection isolation is recommended, but facilities and equipment may not be available; and (5) staffing needs and support will pose a significant challenge.

Conclusions:

Healthcare facilities were at the center of the SARS outbreak of 2003 and played a key role in controlling the epidemic. Recommendations in the CDC's SARS preparedness and response guidance for healthcare facilities will help facilities prepare for possible future outbreaks of SARS.

Information

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 25 , Issue 12 , December 2004 , pp. 1020 - 1025
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2004

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