PURPOSE: To provide recommendations and standard operating procedures for intensive care unit and hospital preparations for an influenza pandemic or mass disaster with a specific focus on ensuring that adequate resources are available and appropriate protocols are developed to safely perform procedures in patients with and without influenza illness. METHODS: Based on a literature review and expert opinion, a Delphi process was used to define the essential topics including performing medical procedures. RESULTS: Key recommendations include: (1) specify high-risk procedures (aerosol generating-procedures); (2) determine if certain procedures will not be performed during a pandemic; (3) develop protocols for safe performance of high-risk procedures that include appropriateness, qualifications of personnel, site, personal protection equipment, safe technique and equipment needs; (4) ensure adequate training of personnel in high-risk procedures; (5) procedures should be performed at the bedside whenever possible; (6) ensure safe respiratory therapy practices to avoid aerosols; (7) provide safe respiratory equipment; and (8) determine criteria for cancelling and/or altering elective procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Judicious planning and adoption of protocols for safe performance of medical procedures are necessary to optimize outcomes during a pandemic.
PURPOSE: To provide recommendations and standard operating procedures for intensive care unit and hospital preparations for an influenza pandemic or mass disaster with a specific focus on ensuring that adequate resources are available and appropriate protocols are developed to safely perform procedures in patients with and without influenza illness. METHODS: Based on a literature review and expert opinion, a Delphi process was used to define the essential topics including performing medical procedures. RESULTS: Key recommendations include: (1) specify high-risk procedures (aerosol generating-procedures); (2) determine if certain procedures will not be performed during a pandemic; (3) develop protocols for safe performance of high-risk procedures that include appropriateness, qualifications of personnel, site, personal protection equipment, safe technique and equipment needs; (4) ensure adequate training of personnel in high-risk procedures; (5) procedures should be performed at the bedside whenever possible; (6) ensure safe respiratory therapy practices to avoid aerosols; (7) provide safe respiratory equipment; and (8) determine criteria for cancelling and/or altering elective procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Judicious planning and adoption of protocols for safe performance of medical procedures are necessary to optimize outcomes during a pandemic.
Authors: Charles D Gomersall; Dessmon Y H Tai; Shi Loo; James L Derrick; Mia Siang Goh; Thomas A Buckley; Catherine Chua; Ka Man Ho; Geeta P Raghavan; Oi Man Ho; Lay Beng Lee; Gavin M Joynt Journal: Intensive Care Med Date: 2006-03-29 Impact factor: 17.440
Authors: Michael D Christian; Mona Loutfy; L Clifford McDonald; Kennth F Martinez; Mariana Ofner; Tom Wong; Tamara Wallington; Wayne L Gold; Barbara Mederski; Karen Green; Donald E Low Journal: Emerg Infect Dis Date: 2004-02 Impact factor: 6.883
Authors: Massimo Antonelli; Elie Azoulay; Marc Bonten; Jean Chastre; Giuseppe Citerio; Giorgio Conti; Daniel De Backer; Herwig Gerlach; Goran Hedenstierna; Michael Joannidis; Duncan Macrae; Jordi Mancebo; Salvatore M Maggiore; Alexandre Mebazaa; Jean-Charles Preiser; Jerôme Pugin; Jan Wernerman; Haibo Zhang Journal: Intensive Care Med Date: 2011-01-12 Impact factor: 17.440
Authors: J R Masclans; M Pérez; J Almirall; L Lorente; A Marqués; L Socias; L Vidaur; J Rello Journal: Clin Microbiol Infect Date: 2012-03-08 Impact factor: 8.067