Severe acute respiratory syndrome: management and reconfiguration of a radiology department in an infectious disease situation.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, is a new infectious disease pandemic with important public health concerns. The high infectivity rate by means of droplet transmission places health care workers at substantial risk of contracting the disease. Radiology departments are particularly affected, since imaging plays a vital role in both diagnosis and follow-up of this disease. The authors outline their experience in infection control and isolation procedures during this outbreak. Barrier precautions, reconfiguration of the department, separation of imaging equipment, cleaning procedures, personal protective equipment, and staff safety are discussed.
Tsou
Ian Y Y
IY
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433, Republic of Singapore.
Goh
Jeffrey S K
JS
Kaw
Gregory J L
GJ
Chee
Thomas S G
TS
D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control; D011859:Radiography; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016635:Universal Precautions