title: A hospital contingency plan for exotic communicable diseases.
abstract: The exotic communicable diseases are highly virulent, transmissible, conditions which occur most often in tropical areas. Since the late 1960s, there have been occasions when these diseases have been exported to the US and Canada. Advance planning will facilitate the care of patients infected with these diseases in health care facilities. Hospitals should develop a contingency plan which addresses the management of patients that present themselves to the emergency department as well as patients diagnosed after admission. The plan should address such topics as the isolation room, protective clothing, disinfection of the environment and equipment as well as the management of waste and handling of corpses. A well thought out plan will prevent subsequent transmission of infection to attending personnel, other patients and the surrounding community.
mesh_terms: D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D010356:Patient Isolation; D011481:Protective Clothing; D014330:Tropical Medicine