Resources

Audience

Healthcare facilities expecting to need to test patients for MERS.

Key Takeaways

• Description of molecular and serology tests available for detecting MERS
• Molecular tests can diagnose active infection and may be available through local or state health departments
• Serology tests can detect prior infection

Audience

Hospital staff caring for patients under investigation or patients with confirmed Ebola virus disease (EVD).

Key Takeaways

• California Department of Public Health (CDPH) form to assess for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) symptoms and for potential exposure risk to an EVD case in the United States OR while traveling in an Affected/Endemic Area with widespread EVD transmission within the past 21 days.
• This form is intended to be utilized to determine the risk exposure category for EVD contacts.
• Depending upon the risk exposure category, EVD contacts may be required to be monitored by LAC DPH for fever and EVD symptoms for 21 days following the last date of exposure.
• Completed Ebola Risk Assessment forms must be faxed to Acute Communicable Disease Control (ACDC) (Fax:213-202-5999).

Audience

Pre-hospital 911 providers servicing LAX Airport area

Key Takeaways

• Provides patient assessment and transportation guidelines on patients suspected with the Ebola Virus Disease
• Includes information on disease symptomatology and level of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Provides instructions on notification

Audience

Healthcare professionals (HCP) and healthcare facilities evaluating their level of special pathogens preparedness.

Key Takeaways

• After filling out NETEC's form, two assessments are available to download: the Facility Capabilities Assessment and the Facility Readiness Self-Assessment.
• The Facilities Capabilities Assessment is utilized during NETEC Readiness Consultations.  The categories for observation and associated notes can be helpful in identifying a facility's preparedness within that category.
• The Facilities Readiness Assessment is filled out prior to a NETEC Readiness Assessment.  These questions can prompt a facility to identify their level of preparedness.

Audience

Medical and health agencies interested in how Los Angeles County responds to an emerging infectious disease threat, this resource describes the goals, objectives, strategies, and responsibilities necessary to provide a coordinated, system-based healthcare response.

Key Takeaways

• Mission areas to coordinate response actions based on resource requirements
• Operational tactics including mission goals, command objectives, and strategies
• Appendices that provide specific guidance and direction to various response audiences—agencies, facilities and clinicians

Audience

Healthcare facilities preparing to manage waste generated from caring for suspected or confirmed Ebola patients

Key Takeaways

• Waste generated from patients suspected or confirmed to have Ebola virus disease requires special handling and packaging
• Certain types of waste, such as sharps waste, requires special handling detailed in this document
• Transporting and storing the waste within a facility may differ from routine waste logistics
• The final waste container can include special waste labels to distinguish the waste from regular medical waste on the premises
• A large amount of waste is expected to be generated from patients with suspected or confirmed Ebola patients, and healthcare facilities should be prepared to manage this large volume of waste

Audience

Hospitals managing patients with Ebola Virus Disease

Key Takeaways

This document summarizes guidance on treatment and handling of wastewater generated by hospitalized patients infected with Ebola Virus Disease

Audience

Clinicians collecting clinical specimens for Persons Under Investigation for MERS

Key Takeaways

• Form to fill out for a Patient Under Investigation when submitting samples for MERS-CoV testing
• Clinician to fill out form after speaking to patient

Audience

Clinicians and laboratories collecting, handling and testing clinical specimens for Persons Under Investigation for MERS

Key Takeaways

• Contact local health department to discuss MERS-CoV testing for any PUIs
• Types of specimens to collect: recommendation to collect lower respiratory, upper respiratory and serum specimens for testing
• Guidelines for collecting the three specimen types
• Guidelines for shipping the specimens
• Recommendation to test for other respiratory pathogens concurrently with the MERS-CoV test to identify possible alternative diagnoses

Audience

Hospital staff caring for patients under investigation or patients with confirmed Ebola virus disease (EVD).

Key Takeaways

• California Department of Public Health (CDPH) form to screen patients for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
• This form is intended to be utilized to collect key information for patients that have traveled to EVD affected areas and/or patients that have been in contact with an individual with known or suspected EVD.
• Completed Ebola Screening forms must be faxed to Acute Communicable Disease Control (ACDC) (Fax:213-202-5999).