Transportation capacity for patients with highly infectious diseases in Europe: a survey in 16 nations

Abstract

Highly infectious diseases (HIDs) are defined as being transmissible from person to person, causing life-threatening illnesses and presenting a serious public health hazard. In most European Union member states specialized isolation facilities are responsible for the management of such cases. Ground ambulances are often affiliated with those facilities because rapid relocation of patients is most desirable. To date, no pooled data on the accessibility, technical specifications and operational procedures for such transport capacities are available. During 2009, the 'European Network for HIDs' conducted a cross-sectional analysis of hospitals responsible for HID patients in Europe including an assessment of (a) legal aspects; (b) technical and infrastructure aspects; and (c) operational procedures for ground ambulances used for HID transport. Overall, 48 isolation facilities in 16 European countries were evaluated and feedback rates ranged from 78% to 100% (n = 37 to n = 48 centres). Only 46.8% (22/47) of all centres have both national and local guidelines regulating HID patient transport. If recommended, specific equipment is found in 90% of centres (9/10), but standard ambulances in only 6/13 centres (46%). Exclusive entrances (32/45; 71%) and pathways (30/44; 68.2%) for patient admission, as well as protocols for disinfection of ambulances (34/47; 72.3%) and equipment (30/43; 69.8%) exist in most centres. In conclusion, the availability and technical specifications of ambulances broadly differ, reflecting different preparedness levels within the European Union. Hence, regulations for technical specifications and operational procedures should be harmonized to promote patient and healthcare worker safety.

Identification of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus From Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus Aureus and Molecular Characterization in Quanzhou, China

“…The prevalence of PVL gene in different regions is diverse. In Europe, Glasner et al (2015) tested 147 spa 437-MRSA strains in 11 European countries for PVL gene, and the positive rate was as high as 82%. In Asia, the prevalence of PVL in CA-MRSA and HA-MRSA was 14.3 and 5.7%, respectively ( Song et al, 2012 ).…”

Methicillin-Resistant Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci Carriage is a Protective Factor of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Nasal Colonization in HIV-Infected Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The dominant STs (ST188, ST59 and ST6) in this study were consistent with other community-based populations [ 31 – 33 ], but some other STs were also previously reported in hospital patients (ST338 and ST1) [ 34 – 36 ] and animals (ST398 and ST1) [ 37 – 39 ], which might indicate the cross transmission of isolates in different sources. CC59, the most predominant clonal complex types of MRSA in our study, is the predominant community-associated MRSA clone in Asia [ 40 ]. CC5, the third major CC types of MRSA in this study, was reported to be the main CC type of HA-MRSA [ 41 ].…”

Epidemiology of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing E. coli and Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci in the Northern Dutch–German Cross-Border Region

“…ESBL-producing E. coli belonging to CC ST131-phylogroup B2 are usually associated with more virulent strains ( Overdevest et al, 2015 ). These were frequently found in the Dutch hospitals included in the present study but only sporadically in the community samples.…”