Preparedness, Evaluation, and Care of Pediatric Patients Under Investigation for Ebola Virus Disease: Experience From a Pediatric Designated Care Facility

Costs Associated with Ebola Preparedness at a Freestanding Pediatric Assessment Center

“…In addition, limited national guidance was available during the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak period, and institutional efforts occurred in tandem with local, state, and national efforts to define pediatric best practices. [8][9][10][11][12] Limitations of the current study include potential recall bias from ETF members who completed the survey at the end of the evaluation period and may not have kept precise records of their work activities. Specific opportunity costs were not calculated in the survey, but a high percentage of respondents indicated that the Ebola preparedness activities altered their typical work assignments and resulted in other projects being delayed or deferred.…”

Always ready, always prepared—preparing for the next pandemic

“…Such pathogens are rare and are often not considered in the initial differential diagnosis. To allow for appropriate triage and identification of at risk patients, pediatric emergency clinicians and intensivists need to maintain working relationships with infectious disease and epidemiologic specialists to maintain awareness of active threats and to permit rapid dissemination of reliable information released by agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization and the Infectious Disease Society (55) Additional education measures taken at a pediatric specific care center during the 2014 EVD outbreak included hospital wide grand rounds, mandatory online training courses, and frequent education seminars for clinical staff and families (57).…”

“…For such virulent pathogens, "enhanced infection control" measures should be implemented (58). Proactive coordination with nearby facilities should be arranged to ensure procurement of adequate supply of appropriate PPE with stockpile established in the planning phase (57). In addition, training is required to educate staff on appropriate donning/doffing of PPE.…”

“…"Just in time" training should always be part of preparation during epidemics but having a protocol with periodic rehearsals may permit maintenance of proficiency particularly when preparing for highly infectious or lethal outbreaks (55). Staffing is also an important component of (57). This altered staffing model for highly infectious pathogens greatly exceeds the traditional and CSC staffing models as mentioned above and should be considered in planning for staff.…”

High-Containment Pathogen Preparation in the Intensive Care Unit

“…The ability of care teams to deliver specialized obstetric, pediatric, or complicated surgical care would need to be defined in advance with appropriate facilities, staffing, and care protocols in place. 45 , 46 …”