Isolation & Quarantine
Measures in Response to a Smallpox Emergency
Hospital
Treatment Issues in a Smallpox “Event”
Hospitals and
communities need to plan now on the proper management of suspicious
smallpox cases. If an outbreak occurred, existing medical services
and individual isolation capabilities could quickly become overwhelmed
dealing with probable cases and evaluating potential cases. Breakdowns
in infection control measures could contribute to the spread of
disease in hospitals where patients present.
Contingency
plans should include other facilities where smallpox patients can
be cared for appropriately without worry about spread of disease
if existing isolation capabilities in hospitals are overwhelmed.
In locations used to treat or house cases, they still have to have
medical facilities that can maintain routine medical care for other
illness and trauma.
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