Ebola healthcare coalition checklist
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [2]
Overview
The U.S.Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), in addition to other federal, state, and local members, aim to increase understanding of the Ebola virus disease (Ebola) and encourage community-level preparedness for U.S.Healthcare Coalitions and their members in managing patients with Ebola and other infectious diseases. We are encouraging healthcare coalitions to work with their members to ensure they can detect, protect, and respond to a person under investigation (PUI) for Ebola. Many of the signs and symptoms of Ebola are non-specific and similar to those of other common infectious diseases such as malaria, which is commonly seen in West Africa. Transmission of Ebola can be prevented by using appropriate infection control measures.This checklist is intended to enhance collective preparedness and response by highlighting key areas for healthcare coalitions to review in preparation for a PUI for Ebola at a coalition member’s facility.The checklist provides practical and specific suggestions to ensure healthcare coalition membersare able to detect possible Ebola cases, protect employees and patients, and respond appropriately.[1]
Checklist for Healthcare Coalitions for Ebola Preparedness
Prepare to Detect
Determine if there is a role for the coalition to: | Yes | No |
Review guidance about Active Monitoring and Direct Active Monitoring of passengers arriving from countries where Ebola is present. Stay informed about state and local public health implementation of this guidance. | Yes | No |
Keep informed about the hospital tiered approach and guidance for preparing Ebola Frontline Healthcare Facilities, Ebola Assessment Hospitals and Ebola Treatment Centers. | Yes | No |
Review current guidance and resources about identification of persons under investigation (PUI) for Ebola. Provide information to facilities so they can train staff. | Yes | No |
Encourage coalition members to develop protocols for notifying the coalition’s identified points of contact,other member facilities, local and state public health officials,and community partners of any PUI for Ebola. | Yes | No |
Regularly schedule meetings with members to assist Ebola response planning efforts that prepare and prioritize assets,and coordinate potential services of each partner. | Yes | No |
Encourage coalition members to participate in exercises(e.g.,discussion tabletop, tracers) that detect gaps (e.g.,planning, staffing, training) in the coalition’s ability to respond to a possible or confirmed case or a cluster of Ebola cases and other infectious diseases. | Yes | No |
Encourage facilities to conduct no-notice drills, spot checks and inspections of ED and triage staff to determine their ability to incorporate and practice screening procedures, and initiate notification, isolation, and PPE for their facilities. | Yes | No |
Have regular meetings with coalition members to coordinate messaging around Ebola and ensure members are aware of the most recent CDC Ebola guidance. | Yes | No |
Request that health departments share the latest guidance on infection control and case management. | Yes | No |
Share best practices and information so members can support each other related to detection. | Yes | No |
Prepare to Protect
Determine if there is a role for the coalition to: | Yes | No |
Establish a protocol for coordinating situational awareness activities during a potential Ebola outbreak. | Yes | No |
Promote consistent protocols for all members in waste management and hazardous material collection. | Yes | No |
Encourage consistency among members for pathogen handling by laboratory personnel. | Yes | No |
Promote consistency in human resource guidance and policies (e.g.,travel, furlough, monitoring, self-health screening) for all members. | Yes | No |
Create, or update, a real-time, integrated inventory management system to help track available resources and PPE. | Yes | No |
Update resource assessment of infection-control capabilities of every facility in the coalition. | Yes | No |
Review and discuss your community’s protocols for handling a suspected or confirmed Ebola case. | Yes | No |
Review and discuss Interim Guidance for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems and 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) for Management of Patients with Known or Suspected Ebola Virus Disease in the United States. | Yes | No |
Review and discuss the need for inter-facility patient transfers, and develop inter-facility transfer protocols as needed. | Yes | No |
Facilitate a coordination call with members to:
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Prepare to Respond
Determine if there is a role for the coalition to: | Yes | No |
Develop and/or test:
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Share best practices and information so members can support each other related to responses. | Yes | No |
References