The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued more robust standards for workers treating Ebola and other deadly infectious diseases, according to an article on the Modern Healthcare website.
CDC officials acknowledged that previous recommendations did not work in the case of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, where two nurses were infected while treating Ebola patient Thomas Eric Duncan.
The updated protocols include personal protective equipment that covers the entire body and leaves no skin exposed.
Other recommendations include:
• Wearing two sets of gloves
• Wearing boot covers that are waterproof and go to at least mid-calf or cover the legs
• Single-use fluid resistant or impermeable gown that extends to at least mid-calf or coverall without intergraded hood
• Using respirators, including either N95 respirator masks or powered-air purifying respirator (PAPR)
• Single-use, full-face shield that is disposable
• Surgical hoods to ensure complete coverage of the head and neck
• An apron that is waterproof and covers the torso to the level of the mid-calf should be used if Ebola patients have vomiting or diarrhea