title: Tracheostomy in a patient with severe acute respiratory syndrome.
abstract: The coronavirus which causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a virulent and highly contagious organism. Of the 1755 SARS patients in Hong Kong, over 400 were healthcare workers. Meticulous attention to infection control and teamwork are essential to minimize cross-contamination and prevent staff from contracting the illness. These points are especially pertinent when anaesthetizing SARS patients for high-risk procedures such as tracheostomy. We describe the management of such a case.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, United Christian Hospital, 130 Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong SAR. annekwan@cuhk.edu.hk
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kwan
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Fok
authors.forename: K I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Law
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lam
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000601:surgery* / Q000635:transmission; D014139:Tracheostomy