title: Infection control management of patients with suspected highly infectious diseases in emergency departments: data from a survey in 41 facilities in 14 European countries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Emergency and Medical Admission Departments (EDs and MADs), prompt recognition and appropriate infection control management of patients with Highly Infectious Diseases (HIDs, e.g. Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers and SARS) are fundamental for avoiding nosocomial outbreaks.
  
  
  METHODS
  The EuroNHID (European Network for Highly Infectious Diseases) project collected data from 41 EDs and MADs in 14 European countries, located in the same facility as a national/regional referral centre for HIDs, using specifically developed checklists, during on-site visits from February to November 2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Isolation rooms were available in 34 facilities (82,9%): these rooms had anteroom in 19, dedicated entrance in 15, negative pressure in 17, and HEPA filtration of exhausting air in 12. Only 6 centres (14,6%) had isolation rooms with all characteristics. Personnel trained for the recognition of HIDs was available in 24 facilities; management protocols for HIDs were available in 35.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preparedness level for the safe and appropriate management of HIDs is partially adequate in the surveyed EDs and MADs.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Infectious Diseases "L Spallanzani", Rome, Italy. francescomaria.fusco@inmi.it
authors.forename: Francesco M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Fusco
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schilling
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Iaco
authors.forename: Hans-Reinhard
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Brodt
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brouqui
authors.forename: Helena C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Maltezou
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bannister
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gottschalk
authors.forename: Gail
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Puro
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ippolito
mesh_terms: D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000635:transmission*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D005060:Europe; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*