Infection control and outbreak preparedness resources for hospitals and healthcare providers
The World Health Organization named the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. First reported from Wuhan, China, 12/31/19, the virus has rapidly spread across continents, with more than 20,000 confirmed cases and hundreds of deaths. The epidemic poses a potent economic threat as well as a public health crisis.
Hospitals that are currently assessing their preparedness or actively responding to 2019-nCoV are looking for alternative suppliers of certain personal protective equipment (PPE). While most facilities may have adequate supplies of goggles, masks, and gowns on hand for emergencies and infectious outbreaks, shortages may occur.
For healthcare professionals, the thought of being unprepared or under-prepared for coronavirus, or other public health crisis, is alarming. Immediate steps should be taken to assess preparedness to handle this crisis.
In keeping with its mission of effective, evidence-based healthcare globally, ECRI has developed this Coronavirus Outbreak Preparedness Center to help hospitals protect healthcare workers as well as patients. This site includes:
- Preparation and patient handling checklists
- Equipment and alternative supplier lists
- Patient care equipment evaluations, including portable ventilators
- Recommendations for infection control
- Links to Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization
This compendium of resources is freely available to the public—no membership or other payment is required to access it. The site will be updated as newer information becomes available. Bookmark the site and check back frequently. We would like to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to us at communications@ecri.org.
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