Rethinking the Discharge Policy for Ebola Convalescents in an Accelerating Epidemic

O'Dempsey, Tim ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9596-9687, Khan, S. H. and Bausch, D. G. (2015) 'Rethinking the Discharge Policy for Ebola Convalescents in an Accelerating Epidemic'. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Vol 92, Issue 2, pp. 238-239.

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Abstract

The outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in West Africa has outstripped available resources. Novel strategies are desperately needed to streamline operations. The present norm of requiring negative results on polymerase chain reaction for EVD convalescent patients to be discharged is not evidence-based and often results in asymptomatic patients competing for beds in dangerously crowded Ebola Treatment Units, posing risks to ward staff and patients and the community if infected persons are turned away. We summarize the relevant data and call for a change in discharge criteria for convalescent patients that can safely help reduce the strain on resources and direct energies where they are most needed. In the longer term, research is needed to assess the true infectivity of EVD convalescent patients to establish evidence-based criteria and guidelines for discharge.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	WA Public Health > Preventive Medicine > WA 110 Prevention and control of communicable diseases. Transmission of infectious diseases WA Public Health > WA 30 Socioeconomic factors in public health (General) WA Public Health > Health Administration and Organization > WA 546 Local Health Administration. Community Health Services WC Communicable Diseases > Virus Diseases > Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers. Other Virus Diseases > WC 534 Viral hemorrhagic fevers
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > Clinical Sciences Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.14-0719
Depositing User:	Lynn Roberts-Maloney
Date Deposited:	17 Jul 2015 08:21
Last Modified:	01 Nov 2019 15:08
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/5246

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