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Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology Publication Info

Article DOI: 10.1086/502338
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/502338
Foundations of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Preparedness and Response Plan for Healthcare Facilities • 
Arjun Srinivasan , MD, Lawrence C. McDonald , MD, MPH, Daniel Jernigan , MD, MPH, Rita Helfand , MD, MPH, Kathleen Ginsheimer , MD, MPH, John Jernigan , MD, MPH, Linda Chiarello , RN, CIC, Raymond Chinn , MD, Umesh Parashar , MD, Larry Anderson , MD and Denise Cardo , MD
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology , Vol. 25, No. 12 (December 2004), pp. 1020-1025
Article DOI: 10.1086/502338
Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/502338
Original Articles

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

Formats Available in JSTOR: PDF

Abstract(back to top)

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.

Bibliographic Information(back to top)

  • Foundations of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Preparedness and Response Plan for Healthcare Facilities
  • Arjun Srinivasan , MD, Lawrence C. McDonald , MD, MPH, Daniel Jernigan , MD, MPH, Rita Helfand , MD, MPH, Kathleen Ginsheimer , MD, MPH, John Jernigan , MD, MPH, Linda Chiarello , RN, CIC, Raymond Chinn , MD, Umesh Parashar , MD, Larry Anderson , MD and Denise Cardo , MD
  • Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
  • Vol. 25, No. 12 (December 2004) (pp. 1020-1025)

Author Information(back to top)

Arjun Srinivasan , MD; Lawrence C. McDonald , MD, MPH; Daniel Jernigan , MD, MPH; Rita Helfand , MD, MPH; Kathleen Ginsheimer , MD, MPH; John Jernigan , MD, MPH; Linda Chiarello , RN, CIC; Raymond Chinn , MD; Umesh Parashar , MD; Larry Anderson , MD; Denise Cardo , MD;

Notes and References(back to top)

This item contains 1 note(s).

Notes

Drs. Srinivasan, McDonald, D. Jernigan, J. Jernigan, and Cardo and Ms. Chiarello are from the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, and Drs. Helfand, Parashar, and Anderson are from Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Ginsheimer is from the Maine Bureau of Health, Augusta, Maine. Dr. Chinn is from Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, California.Address reprint requests to Arjun Srinivasan, MD, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, MS‐A35, Atlanta, GA 30333.*Members of the SARS Healthcare Preparedness and Response Plan Team included S. Solomon, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA; M. Keifer, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA; M. Pearson, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA; J. Bentley, American Hospital Association, Washington, DC; J. Steinberg, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA; K. Woeltje, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA; R. Koppaka, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA; C. Van Beneden, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA; and R. Weinstein, Cook County Hospital, Chicago, IL.

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© 2004 by The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. All rights reserved.