title: Biosecurity measures in 48 isolation facilities managing highly infectious diseases.
abstract: Biosecurity measures are traditionally applied to laboratories, but they may also be usefully applied in highly specialized clinical settings, such as the isolation facilities for the management of patients with highly infectious diseases (eg, viral hemorrhagic fevers, SARS, smallpox, potentially severe pandemic flu, and MDR- and XDR-tuberculosis). In 2009 the European Network for Highly Infectious Diseases conducted a survey in 48 isolation facilities in 16 European countries to determine biosecurity measures for access control to the facility. Security personnel are present in 39 facilities (81%). In 35 facilities (73%), entrance to the isolation area is restricted; control methods include electronic keys, a PIN system, closed-circuit TV, and guards at the doors. In 25 facilities (52%), identification and registration of all staff entering and exiting the isolation area are required. Access control is used in most surveyed centers, but specific lacks exist in some facilities. Further data are needed to assess other biosecurity aspects, such as the security measures during the transportation of potentially contaminated materials and measures to address the risk of an "insider attack."
authors.affiliation: Emerging and Re-emerging Infection Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Pre-clinical Research, National Institute for Infectious Diseases, IRCCS L. Spallanzani, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Puro
authors.forename: Francesco M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Fusco
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schilling
authors.forename: Gail
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Iaco
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: Hans-Rheinhard
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Brodt
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ippolito
mesh_terms: D001107:Architectural Accessibility; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003264:Containment of Biohazards / Q000379:methods*; D003625:Data Collection; D005060:Europe; D055819:Hospitals, Isolation / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D016134:Organizational Policy; D010356:Patient Isolation; D010557:Personnel Administration, Hospital; D012637:Security Measures / Q000458:organization & administration*