Hospital Guidelines for Protecting Patients and Healthcare Workers from Ebola Virus

With recent Ebola virus cases confirmed in the United States, it is essential for hospitals and health systems to be adequately prepared to protect patients and healthcare workers from infection. Person-to-person transmission of the Ebola virus occurs by very close personal contact with an infected individual or with their body fluids after symptoms begin to present themselves or after their death. During the care of an infected individual, spread of the virus can occur through contact with infected body fluids on the patient, their clothes or bedding; surfaces such as bedrails or side tables; the floor; or on reused, unsterilized medical equipment such as syringes, needles and thermometers.

The following are guidelines for preventing the spread of the Ebola virus in hospitals:

• Immediately isolate any incoming patients who are confirmed or suspected of being infected with the Ebola virus. Implement Standard, Contact, and Droplet precautions with additional protective recommendations.
• Healthcare providers must protect all routes of entry into the body by wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, including:
  • Fluid-resistant facemasks
  • Fluid-resistant respirators, especially during later stages of the disease or if performing any aerosol-generating procedures
  • Eye protection or face shields
  • Fluid-resistant gowns or coveralls
  • Head covers
  • Fluid-resistant foot/leg covers
  • Gloves
• Disinfect and sterilize virus-contaminated surfaces, medical instruments and linens before they can infect anyone else. Effective disinfectants against the Ebola virus include:
  • 3% acetic acid (pH 2.5)
  • β-propiolactone
  • Detergents such as SDS
  • Ether
  • Formaldehyde and paraformaldehyde
  • 2% glutaraldehyde
  • 70% isopropyl or ethyl alcohol
  • Lipid solvents
  • Methyl alcohol
  • Peracetic acid
  • Phenolic disinfectants
  • Sodium deoxycholate
  • Sodium hypochlorite
  • 0.25% Triton X-100
• Practice thorough hand hygiene by washing hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer at appropriate times to avoid self-contamination.
• Create and distribute a written policy with procedures to address biohazard bag processing and the removal and cleaning of large spills or otherwise fluid-contaminated areas.

To download a detailed Ebola precautions brief, please visit http://www.kchealthcare.com/about-us/news/2014/august/kimberly-clark-ebola-virus-disease-evd-precautions-brief-august-12-2014.aspx