The Initial Hospital Response to an Epidemic

Abstract

The last decades have been characterized by the appearance of a substantial number of newly recognized or novel infectious agents and by the re-emergence of infectious diseases with a global impact. The objective of this article is to briefly describe the model of hospital response for early diagnosis and prompt management of patients with highly contagious infectious diseases. We reviewed the main components of hospital preparedness in response to clustering of highly contagious diseases. A model for the initial hospital response to an epidemic in our referral Institute is discussed. Prompt recognition and identification is the initial and indispensable step in facing any communicable diseases, regardless of whether it is a prevalent, a newly emerging one or deliberately released. The importance of developing and implementing nontraditional methods of public health surveillance and a system that allows a wide and immediate dissemination of information and exchange of views on risk assessment and risk management are highlighted. Case identification and laboratory capabilities and isolation procedures are the essential components for an initial hospital response. The recent bioterrorist events and the worldwide outbreaks of highly contagious infectious diseases have evidenced the need for institutional preparedness at each hospital and for identification of referral centers for patient isolation and of laboratories with adequate capabilities. Moreover, hospitals should develop a plan for coordinating all hospital components to respond to critical situations deriving from the admission of patients with highly contagious infectious diseases.

Strengthening timely detection and reporting of unusual respiratory events from health facilities in Yaoundé, Cameroon

“…Similar to EBS in other countries and settings, the signals in this system were defined to enable healthcare workers to report when they identify unusual occurrences or patterns . Astute clinicians can play a critical role in early detection and reporting of emerging outbreaks and public health events . In 2003, a WHO doctor in Vietnam recognized epidemic potential in unusual and severe cases of pneumonia in patients and healthcare workers, and helped to identify the initial spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outside of Hong Kong .…”

“…can play a critical role in early detection and reporting of emerging outbreaks and public health events. 16,17 In 2003, a WHO doctor in Vietnam recognized epidemic potential in unusual and severe cases of pneumonia in patients and healthcare workers, and helped to identify the initial spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outside of Hong Kong. 18 Recently in 2018 in Kerala, India, clinicians quickly recognized a cluster of neurologic cases and rapidly identified the first Nipah virus outbreak in the region.…”

Biological weapons

“…Early diagnosis and prompt institution of effective control measures are critical determinants of the eventual impact of any infectious disease emergency [66]. Nine of the 11 cases of pulmonary anthrax in the US outbreak in 2001 presented direct to hospitals or emergency rooms.…”

A healthy degree of suspicion: A discussion of the implementation of transmission based precautions in the emergency department

“…The importance of rapid implementation of TBP in the ED setting for the protection of patients and HCW against infectious diseases is well represented in the literature [5,[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. Emerging and reemerging infectious diseases, international travel, mass gatherings, incomplete vaccination, overpopulation, urbanisation all place pressure upon contemporary healthcare and the ability to contain infectious disease [5,13].…”