Here are estimates for hospital care teams
For management of a single presumptive smallpox patient, assume:
- ICU: eight adult ICU nurses, eight pediatric ICU nurses, four adult intensivists or pulmonologists or fellows, four pediatric intensivists or pulmonologists or fellows.
- ED: 15 doctors and nurses.
- One infectious disease (ID) consult, one dermatology consult.
- Four respiratory therapists, four radiology techs, two engineers.
- Total: 41 workers — assuming 12-hour shifts, initially allowing for backup and vacation absence. Since there are efficiencies in managing more than one patient, 100 staff should allow for care of three or four patients with a presumptive diagnosis of smallpox.
- Nationwide hospital teams: approximately 400,000 to 510,000 health care workers.
Possible Composition of Hospital Care Teams
- ED staff: MDs, RNs
- ICU: selected MDs, RNs
- General medical unit*: selected RNs, MDs: hospitalists, internists, pediatricians, obstetricians, family practice, when essential providers of primary medical care
- House staff: selected medical, pediatric, OB and family practice, when essential
- Subspecialists: regional team of local consultants with smallpox experience, dermatologists, ophthalmologists, etc.
- Infection control staff
- Respiratory therapists
- Radiology technicians
- Security personnel
- Housekeeping personnel
* Defined by negative-pressure rooms, appropriate for smallpox wing.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, Atlanta.
For management of a single presumptive smallpox patient, assume the following.
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