MDH Task Force SARS
Date: August 8, 2003
TO: MDH Management
Committee
FROM: Reynaldo O. Joson, MD
RE: Closing Report on
MDH Task Force SARS
I am submitting this closing report on the MDH Task Force
SARS together with a manual entitled “How Manila Doctors Hospital Responded to
the Challenge of SARS” and a diskette that contains the files of the manual as
well as those in the website (http://xsarsmdh.tripod.com).
Copies of these manuscripts will be stored in the office of
the Infection Control Committee and the Quality Council for archiving as well
as for future use as a prototype in the control of epidemics that may affect
MDH.
The MDH Task Force SARS was created April 2, 2003. It is going to cease its existence on August
10, 2003, totaling 4 months of operation.
Below is a summary of results:
- NO
SARS patient admitted in MDH.
- 8
patients with possible SARS detected at ER and referred to DOH referral
centers.
- 2
patients with possible SARS detected inside hospital, one isolated in
Floor 11 and one referred to RITM.
Both later turned out to
be NOT SARS.
- A
level 3 preparedness was achieved by May 16, 2003, about 6 weeks after the
organizational meeting of the task force.
Level 3 preparedness means completely prepared with policies,
strategies, and procedures; physical facilities; and training with at
least a drill.
- A
triage-isolation-holding room in the ER which can be used for other cases
of infectious diseases.
- An
expense of about PhP 200,000 in the preparedness program.
- NO
downturn in hospital business development and stability associated with
SARS scare and panic.
A transition phase has been instituted for one month (July
11 to August 10, 2003) in the form of admitting patients with pneumonia only to
single private rooms for isolation and monitoring. This policy will be continued indefinitely as a vigilance
strategy against SARS and other future infectious diseases.
Thanks to the management, members of MDH Task Force SARS,
all staff of MDH, and the public for all the support to protect MDH from SARS.
Lessons learned and which I would like to endorse:
- SARS
panic and stigma are more destructive and dangerous than the SARS disease
itself. They must be avoided at
all cost and stopped immediately.
- Doctors
are difficult to manage in terms of cooperation and collaboration in a
hospital epidemic control program.
Stern measures must be instituted to make the doctors respect and
follow the chain of command.
- The
humanitarian spirit of health professionals become fragile in the face of
an epidemic. Non-confrontational
strategies and persuasion should be done.
- Multisectoral
cooperation and a unity of command are essential in a hospital epidemic
preparedness and control program.
Reynaldo O. Joson, MD
Chair, MDH Task Force SARS