Infect Chemother.
2004 Jun;36(3):132-138.
National Questionnaire Survey on Managing Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, 2003
- Affiliations
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- 1Inha University Hospital, Korea.
- 2National Medical Center, Korea.
- 3Seoul Metropolitan Seodaemoon Hospital, Korea.
- 4Suwon Medical Center, Korea.
- 5Ajou University Hospital, Korea.
- 6Pusan National University Hospital, Korea.
- 7Kyungpook National University Hospital, Korea.
- 8Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea.
- 9Samsung Medical Center, Korea.
- 10Asan Medical Center, Korea.
- 11Gil Medical Center, Korea.
- 12Incheon Medical Center, Korea.
- 13Chonnam National University Hospital, Korea.
- 14Chungnam National University Hospital, Korea.
- 15Chonbuk National University Hospital, Korea.
- 16Kang-nam General Hospital, Korea.
- 17Korea University Kuro Hospital, Korea.
Abstract
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BACKGROUND: There was an worldwide outbreak of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) originated from China in late 2002. During that period three cases of suspected SARS and 17 cases of probable SARS were reported in Korea. With the concerns about the reemergence of SARS-coV transmission, it is important to be prepared for any possibility. So, this study is aimed to analysis the past measures in managing SARS and propose the amendatory plans to improve the preparedness.
RESULTS
Questionnaires were collected among clinicians with any experience in managing the probable or suspected SARS cases in Oct. 2003. 17 out of 22 hospitals responded to the questionnaire. The contents in the questionnaire were practical activities, personal equipments, response plans, isolation facilities in emergency centers, outpatient clinics, general wards and intensive care units, and relationship with the public health department.
RESULTS
The dedicated isolation rooms in emergency centers, outpatient clinics, general wards, and intensive care units were prepared in 9 (9/17, 52.9%), 5 (5/17, 29.4%), 15 (15/16, 93.7%), and 4 (4/16, 25.0%) hospitals, respectively. Except for one hospital that newly made negative pressure room for SARS, single or multi-bed rooms without airborne infection control were used in all the other hospitals. The personal precaution principles were kept quite well in general wards. Before the designation of SARS hospital by the public health department prior evalution to see if the hospital was suitable for managing SARS was conducted in only 1 (1/12, 8.3%) hospital. The results of laboratory diagnosis were reported back in 1 (1/15, 6.6%) hospital.
CONCLUSIONS
The isolation facilities which can control airborne infection were almost deficient not only for SARS but also for other respiratory transmissible diseases. For the infection control of transmissible diseases including SARS, more investment is needed on medical facilities and comprehensive support from the public health department required.
