Health-care management of an unexpected case of Ebola virus disease at the Alcorcón Foundation University Teaching Hospital

INTRODUCTION: The first Ebola virus infected patient outside Africa was diagnosed and treated at Alcorcón Foundation University Teaching Hospital (AFUTH). We describe the integrated management strategy (medical, occupational health, preventive and public health) applied to the case. METHODS: Descriptive study of health-care management of an unexpected case of Ebola virus disease (EVD) at AFUTH treated on 6 October 2014. We describe the clinical evolution of the patient while he was attended at the Emergency Department, the drawing-up process of the action protocol, the process of training of hospital staff, the administrative management for transferring the patient to the referral centre, and the measures implemented for cleaning, disinfection and management of waste. Qualitative variables are expressed as percentages. RESULTS: Our centre designed and updated, from May to October, five versions of the acting and care protocol for patients with EVD. The protocol was in force at the AFUTH when a nursing assistant was attended on 6 October 2014. All preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic measures outlined in the protocol were applied and 206 professionals had received training and information about care procedures with a suspect case. CONCLUSION: Health-care management of an unexpected case of EVD was adequate and there was no secondary cases in our staff as a result. All resources available should be used to fight EVD

INTRODUCCIÓN: El Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón (HUFA) diagnosticó y atendió al primer caso diagnosticado de EVE fuera de África. Nuestro objetivo es describir la atención sanitaria (médica, preventiva y de salud pública) dada a la paciente. MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo de la gestión de un caso inesperado de enfermedad por virus de Ébola, en el HUFA, atendido el día seis de octubre de 2014. Se hace una descripción de la evolución clínica de la paciente mientras estuvo atendida en urgencias del HUFA, del proceso de diseño del protocolo de actuación, del proceso de formación e información al personal del hospital, de la gestión administrativa para su traslado al centro de referencia y del seguimiento de las medidas de limpieza, desinfección y gestión de los residuos producidos. Las variables cualitativas se describen con porcentajes. RESULTADOS: Nuestro centro diseñó y actualizó, desde el mes de mayo hasta octubre, cinco versiones del protocolo de atención a pacientes con EVE. El protocolo estaba en vigor en el HUFA y 206 profesionales habían recibido formación e información sobre el mismo y los procedimientos de atención a un caso sospechoso. Se atendió el 6 de octubre a una auxiliar de enfermería a la que se aplicaron todas las medidas preventivas, diagnósticas y terapéuticas contempladas en el protocolo. CONCLUSIÓN: La atención prestada al caso inesperado de EVE fue adecuada y no hubo ningún caso secundario en nuestro personal como consecuencia de su atención. Hay que utilizar todos los recursos a nuestro alcance para combatir la EVE

Health-care management of an unexpected case of Ebola virus disease at the Alcorcón Foundation University Teaching Hospital.

INTRODUCTION: The first Ebola virus infected patient outside Africa was diagnosed and treated at Alcorcón Foundation University Teaching Hospital (AFUTH). We describe the integrated management strategy (medical, occupational health, preventive and public health) applied to the case. METHODS: Descriptive study of health-care management of an unexpected case of Ebola virus disease (EVD) at AFUTH treated on 6 October 2014. We describe the clinical evolution of the patient while he was attended at the Emergency Department, the drawing-up process of the action protocol, the process of training of hospital staff, the administrative management for transferring the patient to the referral centre, and the measures implemented for cleaning, disinfection and management of waste. Qualitative variables are expressed as percentages. RESULTS: Our centre designed and updated, from May to October, five versions of the acting and care protocol for patients with EVD. The protocol was in force at the AFUTH when a nursing assistant was attended on 6 October 2014. All preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic measures outlined in the protocol were applied and 206 professionals had received training and information about care procedures with a suspect case. CONCLUSION: Health-care management of an unexpected case of EVD was adequate and there was no secondary cases in our staff as a result. All resources available should be used to fight EVD.