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Published in: Intensive Care Medicine 7/2006

01-07-2006 | Expert Panel

Expanding ICU facilities in an epidemic: recommendations based on experience from the SARS epidemic in Hong Kong and Singapore

Authors: Charles D. Gomersall, Dessmon Y. H. Tai, Shi Loo, James L. Derrick, Mia Siang Goh, Thomas A. Buckley, Catherine Chua, Ka Man Ho, Geeta P. Raghavan, Oi Man Ho, Lay Beng Lee, Gavin M. Joynt

Published in: Intensive Care Medicine | Issue 7/2006

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Abstract

Epidemics have the potential to severely strain intensive care resources and may require an increase in intensive care capability. Few intensivists have direct experience of rapidly expanding intensive care services in response to an epidemic. This contribution presents the recommendations of an expert group from Hong Kong and Singapore who had direct experience of expanding intensive care services in response to the epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome. These recommendations cover training, infection control, staffing, communication and ethical issues. The issue of what equipment to purchase is not addressed. Early preparations should include fit testing of negative pressure respirators, training of reserve staff, sourcing of material for physical modifications to the ICU, development of infection control policies and training programmes, and discussion of triage and quarantine issues.
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Metadata
Title
Expanding ICU facilities in an epidemic: recommendations based on experience from the SARS epidemic in Hong Kong and Singapore
Authors
Charles D. Gomersall
Dessmon Y. H. Tai
Shi Loo
James L. Derrick
Mia Siang Goh
Thomas A. Buckley
Catherine Chua
Ka Man Ho
Geeta P. Raghavan
Oi Man Ho
Lay Beng Lee
Gavin M. Joynt
Publication date
01-07-2006
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Intensive Care Medicine / Issue 7/2006
Print ISSN: 0342-4642
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1238
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-006-0134-5

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