Preparedness of the cardiac catheterization laboratory for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and other epidemics.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a highly contagious disease that has led to large hospital and community outbreaks, necessitating stringent infection control in its management. Among 90 SARS patients in our institution in the 2003 outbreak, 2 underwent cardiac catheterization. We report the personal respiratory protection and environmental control measures implemented to minimize the risk of droplets spread during these procedures, including re-engineering of the ventilation system of the cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL). The report highlights the importance of collaboration of CCL personnel with relevant hospital engineering and management teams to develop a contingency infection control plan to prepare for future outbreaks of SARS or other epidemics.
Tsui
Kin-Lam
KL
Department of Medicine, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, 3 Lok Man Road, Chai Wan, Hong Kong. tsuikinl@netvigator.com
Li
Shu-Kin
SK
Li
Man-Ching
MC
Chan
Kwok-Keung
KK
Leung
Tat-Chi
TC
Tse
Tak-Sun
TS
Chan
Chi-Kin
CK
Lam
Kenneth Ka-Hing
KK
Yam
Loretta Yin-Chun
LY
D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000379:methods; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control; D004867:Equipment Design; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011481:Protective Clothing; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D014691:Ventilation / Q000379:methods*