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| Image Source: al.com |
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released stricter guidelines in the treatment and management of Ebola-infected patients.
The change comes in the wake of the events at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, in which several nurses stated having been sent to care for Thomas Eric Duncan, the first patient diagnosed with Ebola in the U.S., unprepared and under-protected. Two nurses were infected, and the CDC cleared an infected nurse for air travel.
In an October 15 interview with Forbes Magazine, a public relations staff member at the CDC stated that the Dallas incident led them to update their personal protective equipment (PPE) recommendations and monitoring instructions.
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| Image Source: newsweek.com |
The new guidelines were released on October 22 and focus on tightening infection control through improved PPE, rigorous training on infection control, and improved supervision through trained monitors who will observe healthcare workers as they put on their PPE, in order to rectify lapses in protocol as soon as they occur.
The CDC has updated its PPE recommendations with the addition of two pairs of protective gloves, fluid-resistant gowns, pants, hoods, shoe coverings, and waterproof aprons; as well as replacement of the previously recommended goggles with disposable full-face shields.
The U.S. Government has also made certain changes to prevent the further spread of Ebola. Despite the repeated demands of the Congress and the American public to ban travel from Ebola-ravaged West Africa, the government has instead required travelers coming from Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia to enter through one of five designated U.S. airports equipped for Ebola screening.
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| Image Source: fullcomment.nationalpost.com |
Dr. George Northrop of Danbury is a licensed physician and healthcare executive. For more health news and updates, subscribe to this blog.
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