Organization of Patient Care during the Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever Epidemic in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1995

In contrast with procedures in previous Ebola outbreaks, patient care during the 1995 outbreak in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of the Congo, was centralized for a large number of patients. On 4 May, before the diagnosis of Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	The Journal of infectious diseases Vol. 179; no. Supplement-1; pp. S268 - S273
Main Authors:	Guimard, Yves, Bwaka, Mpia Ado, Colebunders, Robert, Calain, Philippe, Massamba, Matondo, De Roo, Ann, Mupapa, Kibadi Donat, Kibadi, Kapay, Kuvula, Kivudi José, Ndaberey, Djuma Eduard, Katwiki, Kasongo René, Mapanda, Bwas Bienvenu, Nkuku, Okumi Berthe, Fleerackers, Yon, Van den Enden, Erwin, Kipasa, Mungala Anicet
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States The University of Chicago Press 01-02-1999 University of Chicago Press Oxford University Press
Subjects:	Algorithms Control, Response, Prevention Cross Infection - diagnosis Cross Infection - epidemiology Cross Infection - therapy Democratic Republic of the Congo - epidemiology Disease Outbreaks Ebola virus Epidemics Family members Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola - diagnosis Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola - epidemiology Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola - therapy Home Nursing Hospital units Hospitals Hospitals, General Humans Infection Control Infections Medical equipment Medical personnel Nurses Patient care Patient Care Management - organization & administration Patient Isolation Time Factors Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Summary:	In contrast with procedures in previous Ebola outbreaks, patient care during the 1995 outbreak in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of the Congo, was centralized for a large number of patients. On 4 May, before the diagnosis of Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an isolation ward was created at Kikwit General Hospital. On 11 May, an international scientific and technical committee established as a priority the improvement of hygienic conditions in the hospital and the protection of health care workers and family members; to this end, protective equipment was distributed and barrier-nursing techniques were implemented. For patients living far from Kikwit, home care was organized. Initially, hospitalized patients were given only oral treatments; however, toward the end of the epidemic, infusions and better nutritional support were given, and 8 patients received blood from convalescent EHF patients. Only 1 of the transfusion patients died (12.5%). It is expected that with improved medical care, the case fatality rate of EHF could be reduced.
Bibliography:	istex:5E1DCB6D7CEF679A2D888B3B18C8D23D320BA07B ark:/67375/HXZ-BS3G5RX1-4 ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	0022-1899 1537-6613
DOI:	10.1086/514315