Hospital Management of Adults with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) if SARS re-emerges
Best practice, Care guideline
Abstract:
These guidelines were produced as a joint initiative between the BTS, the BIS and the HPA. SARS is a potentially severe and highly infectious disease to which health care workers involved in the management of cases are particularly vulnerable. The guidelines summarise optimal and safe practice for healthcare staff involved in the emergency care of patients with probable or confirmed SARS. The guidelines contain: - 1. Case definitions to be used during an outbreak once the re-emergence of SARS has been verified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) - Case definition for a probable case of SARS - Case definition for a confirmed case of SARS - Case definition for a discarded case - Case definition for a person under investigation (PUI) 2. Adult presenting to hospital with probable SARS - Infection control issues - General management - Laboratory testing for SARS - Specific management of a patient with probable or confirmed SARS - Potential additional treatment for SARS 3. Management of the close contacts of a probable or confirmed SARS case 4. Discharge from hospital and follow up of a probable or confirmed SARS case 5. Management of a person under investigation (PUI) who requires hospital admission but has a normal chest radiograph As more information about SARS becomes available this guidance will be updated
Category:
Clinical description
Control
Epidemiology
Investigation
Management
Prevention
Treatment
Expert Review
Expert reviews are submitted by our readers. They help other professionals decide whether the research findings reported in this resource are robust and applicable to their daily patient/client care decisions and working environment. If you would like to help, visit our Contribute page.
Summary:
These guidelines were produced as a joint initiative between the BTS, the BIS and the HPA. SARS is a potentially severe and highly infectious disease to which health care workers involved in the management of cases are particularly vulnerable. The guidelines summarise optimal and safe practice for healthcare staff involved in the emergency care of patients with probable or confirmed SARS.The guidelines contain: -·Case definitions to be used during an outbreak once the re-emergence of SARS has been verified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) - Case definition for a probable case of SARS - Case definition for a confirmed case of SARS - Case definition for a discarded case - Case definition for a person under investigation (PUI)·Adult presenting to hospital with probable SARS - Infection control issues - General management - Laboratory testing for SARS - Specific management of a patient with probable or confirmed SARS - Potential additional treatment for SARS·Management of the close contacts of a probable or confirmed SARS case·Discharge from hospital and follow up of a probable or confirmed SARS case·Management of a person under investigation (PUI) who requires hospital admission but has a normal chest radiographAs more information about SARS becomes available this guidance will be updated
Questions Addressed:
The guidelines outline the hospital management of adults with probable or confirmed SARS
Type of Study:
review of expert opinion and case studies
Methods Valid:
Yes
Methods Valid Detail:
The guidelines do not cover management in the community of a person under investigation or management of paediatric cases.
Results Reliability:
As far as they can be given that SARS is a new and emerging infectious disease
Problems or Biases:
This is a novel infection with limited research, especially in the UK, with which to inform this guidance. Because the situation can potentially change, the reader is advised to consult the latest guidance available on the BTS and HPA website (see 7. below)
Relevant Studies:
1. British Thoracic Society website http://www.brit-thoracic.org.uk Guidance on discharge from hospital whttps://www.who.int/csr/sars/discharge/en/
Keywords:
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) surveillance infection control measures infectious disease personal protective equipment (PPE)
Reviewer Name:
Sue Wiseman
Reviewer Post:
Nurse Consultant –Infection Control, DH
Reviewer Affiliations:
Member Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens Health Protection Adviser Royal College of Nursing P/T Member Infection Control Nurses Association