CDC Issues Updated Guidelines on Ebola Treatment
Published at
Credit: James Gathany/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(NEW YORK) — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Monday new guidance for the use of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers treating patients with Ebola.
Noting successful and safe treatment of patients at Emory University Hospital, Nebraska Medical Center and the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center in Bethesda, Md., the CDC put out “enhanced guidance” focusing on ensuring no skin is exposed when personal protective equipment is used, and that all healthcare workers are trained, practiced and competent with PPE and are supervised by a trained monitor who watches every worker put PPE on and take them off.
Hospitals are advised to have at least two options of personal protective equipment, designated areas for putting PPE on and taking it off, trained observers and disinfection of gloved hands.
Still, the CDC warns that focusing only on changes to PPE can give a “false sense of security” and that training and practice is integral.
In order to stop the spread of Ebola in healthcare settings, hospitals should also make sure they enact prompt screening and triage of potential patients, limited personnel within isolation rooms and effective environmental cleaning.
Follow @ABCNewsRadio
Copyright 2014 ABC News Radio