A proposed emergency management program for acute care facilities in response to a highly virulent infectious disease
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
1-1-2016
Journal
Journal of Emergency Management
Volume
14
Issue
1
DOI
10.5055/jem.2016.0269
Keywords
Disaster planning; Ebola Virus Disease; Emergency management; Infection prevention and control; Infectious disease; Personal protective equipment
Abstract
To address the organizational complexities associated with a highly virulent infectious disease (HVID) hazard, such as Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), an acute care facility should institute an emergency management program rooted in the fundamentals of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. This program must address all known facets of the care of a patient with HVID, from unannounced arrival to discharge. The implementation of such a program not only serves to mitigate the risks from an unrecognized exposure but also serves to prepare the organization and its staff to provide for a safe response, and ensure a full recovery. Much of this program is based on education, training, and infection control measures along with resourcing for appropriate personal protective equipment which is instrumental in ensuring an organized and safe response of the acute care facility in the service to the community. This emergency management program approach can serve as a model in the care of not only current HVIDs such as EVD but also future presentations in our healthcare setting.
APA Citation
Petinaux, B., Ferguson, B., Walker, M., Lee, Y., Little, G., Parenti, D., & Simon, G. (2016). A proposed emergency management program for acute care facilities in response to a highly virulent infectious disease. Journal of Emergency Management, 14 (1). http://dx.doi.org/10.5055/jem.2016.0269