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Final MERS CoV IPC Guidelines 24.06.2014
Final MERS CoV IPC Guidelines 24.06.2014
Final MERS CoV IPC Guidelines 24.06.2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NO.
TITLE
PAGE
Preamble.
II
III
IV
VI
10
VII
14
VIII
Admission criteria.
15
IX
Home isolation.
15
18
XI
19
XII
20
XIII
20
XIV
21
XV
References
22
XVI
24
XVII
Acknowledgment
25
I.
Preamble
The MERS-CoV Advisory Council formed by His Excellency the acting Minister of
Health, Engineer Adel Fakeih has developed the following guidelines to meet the urgent
need for up-to-date information and evidence-based recommendations for the safe care of
patients with suspected, probable, or confirmed Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection. The main bulk of these guidelines have been adapted
from previous guidelines produced by the World Health Organization (WHO)[1] and the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)[2]. Council members have revised
these two documents and made important modifications based on the current
epidemiological evidence and the members clinical experience in Infectious Diseases,
Infection Control, Emergency Medicine, Intensive Care, and management of patients with
MERS-CoV. The council has revised the case definition based on the latest
epidemiological and clinical features observed in patients reported in Jeddah. As
information becomes available, these guidelines will be re-evaluated and updated as
needed.
Tariq A. Madani
Chairman, MERS-CoV Advisory Council
II.
Probable case
A probable case is a patient in category I or II above with absent or inconclusive laboratory
results for MERS-CoV and other possible pathogens who is a close contact8 of a
laboratory-confirmed MERS-CoV case or who works in a hospital where MERS-CoV
cases are cared for.
Confirmed case
A confirmed case is a suspect case with laboratory confirmation9 of MERS-CoV infection.
All suspected cases should have nasopharyngeal swabs, and, when intubated, lower
respiratory secretions samples collected for MERS-CoV testing.
2
Patients who meet the criteria for category I or II above should also be evaluated
for common causes of community-acquired pneumonia (such as influenza A and B,
respiratory syncytial virus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Hemophilus influenzae,
Staphylococcus aureus, and Legionella pneumophila). This evaluation should be
based on clinical presentation and epidemiologic and surveillance information.
Testing for MERS-CoV and other respiratory pathogens can be done
24 June 2014 | Page 4
Laboratory tests to exclude other causes of this clinical presentation (e.g., dengue,
Alkhumra hemorrhagic fever virus, CMV, EBV, typhoid fever, and malaria) should
be simultaneously performed if clinically and epidemiologically indicated.
4
Protected exposure is defined as contact within 1.5 meters with a patient with
confirmed or probable MERS-CoV infection while wearing all personal protective
equipment (surgical mask, gloves, and gowns, and, when indicated, goggles, or N95
mask). Unprotected exposure is defined as contact within 1.5 meters with a patient
with confirmed or probable MERS-CoV infection without wearing all personal
protective equipment (surgical mask, gloves, and gowns, and, when indicated,
goggles, or N95 mask).
5
Close contact is defined as a) any person who provided care for the patient,
including a healthcare worker or family member, or had similarly close physical
contact; or b) any person who stayed at the same place (e.g. lived with, visited) as
the patient while the patient was ill.
9
the risk of further infection, should always be applied in all health-care settings
for all patients.
Standard Precautions include
o Hand hygiene
HCWs should apply My 5 moments for hand hygiene: before
touching a patient, before any clean or aseptic procedure, after body
fluid exposure, after touching a patient, and after touching a patients
surroundings, including contaminated items or surfaces.
Hand hygiene includes either washing hands with antiseptic soap and
water or the use of an alcohol-based waterless hand sanitizer (waterless
hand rub).
Wash hands with antiseptic soap and water when they are visibly soiled.
The use of gloves does not eliminate the need for hand hygiene. Hand
hygiene is necessary after taking off gloves and other personal
protective equipment (PPE).
o Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to avoid direct contact with
patients blood, body fluids, secretions (including respiratory secretions)
and non-intact skin.
The use of PPE should be guided by a risk assessment concerning
anticipated contact with blood, body fluids, secretions and non-intact
skin for routine patient care.
When procedures include a risk of splash to the face and/or body, PPE
should include the use of facial protection by means of either a medical
mask and eye-visor or goggles, or a face shield; and a gown and clean
gloves.
o Respiratory Hygiene and Cough Etiquette
To prevent the transmission of all respiratory infections in healthcare
settings, including MERS-CoV and influenza, the following infection
control measures should be implemented at the first point of contact with a
potentially infected person. They should be incorporated into infection
control practices as one component of Standard Precautions.
1. Visual Alerts
Post visual alerts (in appropriate languages) at the entrance to outpatient
facilities (e.g., emergency rooms and clinics) instructing patients and persons
who accompany them (e.g., family, friends) to inform healthcare personnel
of symptoms of acute respiratory illness (including fever with cough, sore
throat, rhinorrhea, sneezing, shortness of breath, and/or wheezing) when they
first register for care and to practice the following Respiratory
Hygiene/Cough Etiquette.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing;
Dispose of the tissue in the nearest waste receptacle right after use;
Perform hand hygiene (e.g., hand washing with non-antimicrobial soap
and water, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, or antiseptic handwash) after
having contact with respiratory secretions and contaminated
objects/materials.
2. Masking and Separation of Persons with Respiratory Symptoms
Offer regular (medical) masks to persons who are coughing. Regular
(medical) masks may be used to contain respiratory secretions (N-95
masks are not necessary for this purpose).
When space and chair availability permit, encourage coughing persons
to sit at least 1 meter away from others in common waiting areas.
Healthcare facilities should ensure the availability of materials for
adhering to Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette in waiting areas for
patients and visitors.
Provide tissues and no-touch receptacles for used tissue disposal.
Provide conveniently located dispensers of alcohol-based hand
sanitizer;
Where sinks are available, ensure that supplies for hand washing (i.e.,
antiseptic soap and disposable towels) are consistently available.
Prevention of overcrowding in waiting and clinical areas is essential to prevent
cross infection.
Environmental ventilation in all areas within a health-care facility.
Environmental cleaning.
Prevention of needle-stick or sharps injury.
Safe waste management.
24 June 2014 | Page 8
surfaces and patient-care equipment, linen, stretcher (trolley), and bed. For
equipment that requires sterilization, follow routine sterilization procedures.
Ensure that cleaning and disinfection procedures are followed consistently and
surveillance of ARIs among HCWs and the importance of seeking medical care
Monitoring of compliance, along with mechanisms for improvement as needed.
V.
When negative pressure rooms are not available, place the patients
in adequately ventilated single rooms. When available, a portable
HEPA filter, turned on to the maximum power, should be placed at
the head side of the patients bed.
When single rooms are not available, place patients with the same
diagnosis together (cohorting). If this is not possible, place patient
beds at least 1 m apart.
Avoid the movement and transport of patients out of the isolation
room or area unless medically necessary. The use of designated
portable X-ray, ultrasound, echocardiogram, and other important
diagnostic machines is recommended when possible.
If transport is required:
Patients should wear a medical mask to contain secretions
Use routes of transport that minimize exposures of staff, other
patients, and visitors.
Notify the receiving area of the patient's diagnosis and
necessary precautions as soon as possible before the patients
arrival.
Ensure that healthcare workers (HCWs) who are transporting
patients wear appropriate PPE and perform hand hygiene
afterwards.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Healthcare Workers (HCWs)
The following PPE should be worn by HCWs upon entry into patient
rooms or care areas:
Gowns (clean, non-sterile, long-sleeved disposable gown)
Gloves
Eye protection (goggles or face shield)
A medical mask.
For patients under airborne precautions, all persons entering
the patients room should wear a fit-tested, seal checked N95 mask instead of a medical mask. For those who failed the
fit testing of N95 masks (e.g those with beards), an alternative
respirator, such as a powered air-purifying respirator, should
be used.
Upon exit from the patient room or care area, PPE should be
removed and discarded.
24 June 2014 | Page 11
Never wear a medical mask under the N95 mask as this prevents
proper fitting and sealing of the N95 mask thus decreasing its
efficacy.
For female staff who wear veils, the medical or N95 mask should
always be placed directly on the face behind the veil and not over
the veil. In this instance, a face-shield should also be used along with
the mask to protect the veil from droplet sprays.
Perform hand hygiene before and after contact with the patient or
his/her surroundings and immediately after removal of PPE.
If possible, use either disposable equipment or dedicated equipment
(e.g. stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs and thermometers).
If equipment needs to be shared among patients, clean and disinfect
it after each patient use.
HCWs should refrain from touching their eyes, nose or mouth with
potentially contaminated gloved or ungloved hands.
Environmental Infection Control
Follow standard procedures, per hospital policy and manufacturers
instructions, for cleaning and/or disinfection of:
Environmental surfaces and equipment
Textiles and laundry
Food utensils and dishware
Clean and disinfect patient-contact surfaces (e.g. bed and machines)
after use
Limit the number of HCWs, family members and visitors in contact with
a patient with probable or confirmed MERS-CoV infection.
To the extent possible, assign probable or confirmed cases to be cared
for exclusively by a group of skilled HCWs and housekeepers both for
continuity of care and to reduce opportunities for inadvertent infection
control breaches that could result in unprotected exposure.
Family members and visitors in contact with a patient should be limited
to those essential for patient support and should be trained on the risk of
transmission and on the use of the same infection control precautions as
HCWs who are providing routine care. Further training may be needed
in settings where hospitalized patients are often cared for by family
members (sitters).
VIII.
Admission criteria
Assess whether the home is suitable and appropriate for isolating the
ill person. You can conduct this assessment by phone or direct
observation.
o The home should have a functioning bathroom. If there are multiple
bathrooms, one should be designated solely for the ill person.
o The ill person should have his or her own bed and preferably a
private room for sleeping.
o Basic amenities, such as heat, electricity, potable and hot water,
sewer, and telephone access, should be available.
o There should be a primary caregiver who can follow the healthcare
providers instructions for medications and care. The caregiver
should help the ill person with basic needs in the home and help with
obtaining groceries, prescriptions, and other personal needs.
o If the home is suitable and appropriate for home care and isolation you
should give the patient, the caregiver, and household members the
following instructions:
Make sure that you understand and can help the ill person follow the
healthcare provider's instructions for medication and care. You should help
the ill person with basic needs in the home and provide support for getting
groceries, prescriptions, and other personal needs.
Have only people in the home who are essential for providing care for the ill
person.
o Other household members should stay in another home or place of
residence. If this is not possible, they should stay in another room, or be
separated from the ill person as much as possible. Use a separate
bathroom, if available.
o Restrict visitors who do not have an essential need to be in the home.
Keep elderly people and those who have compromised immune systems
or specific health conditions away from the ill person. This includes
people with chronic heart, lung or kidney diseases, and diabetes.
Make sure that shared spaces in the home have good air flow, such as by airconditioner or an opened window.
Wear a disposable medical mask, gown, and gloves when you touch or have
contact with the ill persons blood, body fluids and/or secretions, such as
sweat, saliva, sputum, nasal mucous, vomit, urine, or diarrhea.
o Throw out disposable medical masks, gowns, and gloves after using
them. Do not reuse.
o Wash your hands immediately after removing your medical mask, gown,
and gloves.
Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water. You can use an
alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available and if your
hands are not visibly dirty. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with
unwashed hands.
Avoid sharing household items. You should not share dishes, drinking
glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, bedding, or other items with an ill
person who is being evaluated for MERS-CoV infection. After the ill person
uses these items, you should wash them thoroughly with soap and warm
water.
Clean all high-touch surfaces, such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs,
bathroom fixtures, toilets, and bedside tables, every day. Also, clean any
surfaces that may have blood, body fluids and/or secretions on them.
o Wear disposable gloves and gown while cleaning surfaces.
o Use a diluted bleach solution or a household disinfectant. To make a
bleach solution at home, add 1 tablespoon of bleach to 4 cups of water.
For a larger supply, add cup of bleach to 16 cups of water.
Wash laundry thoroughly.
o Immediately remove and wash clothes or bedding that have blood, body
fluids and/or secretions on them.
o Wear disposable gloves while handling soiled items. Wash your hands
immediately after removing your gloves.
o Wash the items with detergent and warm water at the maximum available
cycle length then machine dry them.
Place all used gloves, gowns, medical masks, and other contaminated items
in a lined container before disposing them with other household waste. Wash
your hands immediately after handling these items.
Follow the guidance for close contacts below.
o
Monitor your health for 14 days, starting from the day you were last exposed
to the ill person. Watch for these symptoms:
o Fever (38 C, or higher). Take your temperature twice a day.
o Coughing.
o Shortness of breath.
o Other early symptoms to watch for are chills, body aches, sore throat,
headache, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, and runny nose.
If you develop symptoms, follow the prevention steps described above, and
call your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Before your medical
appointment, call the healthcare provider and tell him or her about your
possible exposure to MERS-CoV. This will help the healthcare providers
office take steps to keep other people from getting infected. Ask your
healthcare provider to call the MOH.
If you do not have any of the symptoms, you can continue with your daily
activities, such as going to work, school, or other public areas.
Provide Ministry of Healths Guidance for Preventing MERS-CoV
from Spreading in Homes and Communities brochure to the ill person,
the caregiver, and household members. This brochure is available in common
languages (Arabic, English, Urdu, Pilipino, Indonesian, Bangladeshi,
Somalian, and Ethiopian (see appendix).
X.
XIII.
o Deliver all specimens by hand whenever possible. Do not use pneumatictube systems to transport specimens.
o State the name of the suspected ARI of potential concern clearly on the
accompanying request form. Notify the laboratory as soon as possible that
the specimen is being transported.
o For further information on specimen handling in the laboratory and
laboratory testing for MERS-CoV, see CDC and WHO Laboratory bio-risk
management [3,4], and the Laboratory testing for MERS-CoV [5,6], and
CDC and WHO laboratory biosafety manuals [7,8].
XV. References
1. Infection prevention and control during health care for probable or confirmed
cases of novel coronavirus (nCoV) infection. Interim Guidance. World Health
Organization (WHO). 6 May 2013. Available at:
http://www.who.int/entity/csr/disease/coronavirus_infections/IPCnCoVguidance_
06May13.pdf?ua=1
2. Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Hospitalized
Patients with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC). Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/mers/infection-prevention-control.html
3. Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens
from Patients Under Investigation (PUIs) for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) Version 2. Centers for Disease Control and
prevention (CDC). 9 January 2014. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/mers/guidelines-clinical-specimens.html
4. Laboratory testing for novel coronavirus: Interim recommendations. World
Health Organization (WHO). 21 Dec 2012. Available at:
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/coronavirus_infections/LaboratoryTestingNovelCo
ronavirus_21Dec12.pdf
5. Interim Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines for Handling and Processing
Specimens Associated with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
(MERS-CoV). Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC). Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/mers/guidelines-lab-biosafety.html
6. Laboratory biorisk management for laboratories handling human specimens
suspected or confirmed to contain novel coronavirus: Interim recommendations.
World Health Organization (WHO). 19 Feb 2013. Available at:
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/coronavirus_infections/Biosafety_InterimRecomm
endations_NovelCoronavirus_19Feb13.pdf?ua=1
7. Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 5th Edition.
Dec 2009. Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC). Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/biosafety/publications/bmbl5/BMBL.pdf
XVII. Acknowledgment
The MERS-CoV Advisory Council would like to thank Dr Abdullah M. Assiri,
Consultant, Internal Medicine & Infectious Diseases, Assistant Deputy Minister for
Preventive Health, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Dr Ali Albarrak, Consultant, Internal
Medicine & Infectious Diseases, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Dr
John Jernigan, Consultant, Internal Medicine & Infectious Diseases, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA, and Dr David Kuhar, Consultant,
Internal Medicine & Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, Atlanta, USA, for their critical review of the guidelines.