Have your security staff screen patients for SARS

Have your security staff screen patients for SARS

The following is a protocol used by security staff at William Beaumont Hospital to screen all patients arriving by any means, except ambulance, with suspected SARS before they enter the ED:

Question 1: Have you been out of the country (excluding Canada) in the last 10 days?

Answer: If NO, proceed as usual with the ED visit. If YES:

Question 2: Have you been to China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, or Singapore?

Answer: If NO, proceed as usual with the ED visit. If YES:

Question 3: Are you here with any respiratory problems?

Answer: If NO, proceed as usual with the ED visit, alerting the triage nurse of recent travels. If YES:

Secure the vehicle and patient outside, and alert ED personnel who will triage them outside.

REMINDER: Be especially observant of arriving patients and keep your distance when determining their health status. As always, be mindful of universal precautions and protective equipment. Use of gloves and N-95 masks is advised whenever you suspect any communicable disease.

Source: William Beaumont Hospital, Troy, MI.

For information on an upcoming SARS audio conference, click here.