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Leligdowicz A, Fischer WA, Uyeki TM, Fletcher TE, Adhikari NKJ, Portella G, Lamontagne F, Clement C, Jacob ST, Rubinson L, Vanderschuren A, Hajek J, Murthy S, Ferri M, Crozier I, Ibrahima E, Lamah MC, Schieffelin JS, Brett-Major D, Bausch DG, Shindo N, Chan AK, O'Dempsey T, Mishra S, Jacobs M, Dickson S, Lyon GM, Fowler RA. Ebola virus disease and critical illness. Crit Care 2016; 20:217. [PMID: 27468829 PMCID: PMC4965892 DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1325-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
As of 20 May 2016 there have been 28,646 cases and 11,323 deaths resulting from the West African Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak reported to the World Health Organization. There continue to be sporadic flare-ups of EVD cases in West Africa.EVD presentation is nonspecific and characterized initially by onset of fatigue, myalgias, arthralgias, headache, and fever; this is followed several days later by anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Anorexia and gastrointestinal losses lead to dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities, and metabolic acidosis, and, in some patients, acute kidney injury. Hypoxia and ventilation failure occurs most often with severe illness and may be exacerbated by substantial fluid requirements for intravascular volume repletion and some degree of systemic capillary leak. Although minor bleeding manifestations are common, hypovolemic and septic shock complicated by multisystem organ dysfunction appear the most frequent causes of death.Males and females have been equally affected, with children (0-14 years of age) accounting for 19 %, young adults (15-44 years) 58 %, and older adults (≥45 years) 23 % of reported cases. While the current case fatality proportion in West Africa is approximately 40 %, it has varied substantially over time (highest near the outbreak onset) according to available resources (40-90 % mortality in West Africa compared to under 20 % in Western Europe and the USA), by age (near universal among neonates and high among older adults), and by Ebola viral load at admission.While there is no Ebola virus-specific therapy proven to be effective in clinical trials, mortality has been dramatically lower among EVD patients managed with supportive intensive care in highly resourced settings, allowing for the avoidance of hypovolemia, correction of electrolyte and metabolic abnormalities, and the provision of oxygen, ventilation, vasopressors, and dialysis when indicated. This experience emphasizes that, in addition to evaluating specific medical treatments, improving the global capacity to provide supportive critical care to patients with EVD may be the greatest opportunity to improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - William A Fischer
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Timothy M Uyeki
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Thomas E Fletcher
- Defence Medical Services, Whittington Barracks, Lichfield, UK
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
| | - Neill K J Adhikari
- Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Francois Lamontagne
- Department of Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Shevin T Jacob
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Lewis Rubinson
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Abel Vanderschuren
- Centre de recherche de l'institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jan Hajek
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Srinivas Murthy
- Department of Paediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Ian Crozier
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Elhadj Ibrahima
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Donka Hospital, Conakry, Guinea
| | - Marie-Claire Lamah
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Donka Hospital, Conakry, Guinea
| | - John S Schieffelin
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - David Brett-Major
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Daniel G Bausch
- Department of Pandemic and Epidemic Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nikki Shindo
- Department of Pandemic and Epidemic Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Adrienne K Chan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tim O'Dempsey
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Michael Jacobs
- Department of Infection, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Stuart Dickson
- Acute Medicine and Intensive Care, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK
| | - G Marshall Lyon
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Robert A Fowler
- Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Hewlett AL, Varkey JB, Smith PW, Ribner BS. Ebola virus disease: preparedness and infection control lessons learned from two biocontainment units. Curr Opin Infect Dis 2016; 28:343-8. [PMID: 26098504 DOI: 10.1097/qco.0000000000000176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review details infection control issues encountered in the management of patients with Ebola virus disease (EVD), with emphasis on how these issues were confronted in two biocontainment patient care units in the United States. RECENT FINDINGS There is a notable paucity of medical literature to guide infection control policies and procedures when caring for patients with EVD. Thus, the experience of the Serious Communicable Diseases Unit at Emory University Hospital and the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center serves as the basis for this review. Facility issues, staffing, transportation logistics, and appropriate use of personal protective equipment are detailed. Other topics addressed include the evaluation of patients under investigation and ethical issues concerning the safe utilization of advanced life support. SUMMARY This review intends to serve as a reference for facilities that are in the process of creating protocols for managing patients with EVD. Given the lack of literature to support many of the recommendations discussed, it is important to utilize the available referenced guidelines, along with the practical experiences of biocontainment units, to optimize the care provided to patients with EVD while strictly adhering to infection control principles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela L Hewlett
- aDivision of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska bDivision of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Jecker NS, Dudzinski DM, Diekema DS, Tonelli M. Ebola Virus Disease: Ethics and Emergency Medical Response Policy. Chest 2015; 148:794-800. [PMID: 25855946 PMCID: PMC7094606 DOI: 10.1378/chest.15-0135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Caring for patients affected with Ebola virus disease (EVD) while simultaneously preventing EVD transmission represents a central ethical challenge of the EVD epidemic. To address this challenge, we propose a model policy for resuscitation and emergent procedure policy of patients with EVD and set forth ethical principles that lend support to this policy. The policy and principles we propose bear relevance beyond the EVD epidemic, offering guidance for the care of patients with other highly contagious, virulent, and lethal diseases. The policy establishes (1) a limited code status for patients with confirmed or suspected EVD. Limited code status means that a code blue will not be called for patients with confirmed or suspected EVD at any stage of the disease; however, properly protected providers (those already in full protective equipment) may initiate resuscitative efforts if, in their clinical assessment, these efforts are likely to benefit the patient. The policy also requires that (2) resuscitation not be attempted for patients with advanced EVD, as resuscitation would be medically futile; (3) providers caring for or having contact with patients with confirmed or suspected EVD be properly protected and trained; (4) the treating team identify and treat in advance likely causes of cardiac and respiratory arrest to minimize the need for emergency response; (5) patients with EVD and their proxies be involved in care discussions; and (6) care team and provider discretion guide the care of patients with EVD. We discuss ethical issues involving medical futility and the duty to avoid harm and propose a utilitarian-based principle of triage to address resource scarcity in the emergency setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy S Jecker
- Department of Bioethics and Humanities, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA.
| | - Denise M Dudzinski
- Department of Bioethics and Humanities, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA
| | - Douglas S Diekema
- School of Medicine, University of Washington; and the Emergency Department, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA; Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA
| | - Mark Tonelli
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA
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Torabi-Parizi P, Davey RT, Suffredini AF, Chertow DS. Ethical and practical considerations in providing critical care to patients with Ebola virus disease. Chest 2015; 147:1460-1466. [PMID: 25764372 PMCID: PMC4451704 DOI: 10.1378/chest.15-0278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious disease epidemics in the past have given rise to psychologic and emotional responses among health-care workers (HCWs), stemming from fear of infection during patient care. Early experiences in the AIDS epidemic provide an example where fear of contagion resulted in differential treatment of patients infected with HIV. However, with a deeper understanding of AIDS pathogenesis and treatment, fear and discrimination diminished. Parallels exist between early experiences with AIDS and the present outbreak of Ebola virus disease in West Africa, particularly regarding discussions of medical futility in seriously ill patients. We provide a historical perspective on HCWs' risk of infection during the provision of CPR, discuss physicians' duty to treat in the face of perceived or actual HCW risk, and, finally, present the protocols implemented at the National Institutes of Health to reduce HCW risk while providing lifesaving and life-sustaining care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parizad Torabi-Parizi
- Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.
| | - Richard T Davey
- Clinical Research Section, Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Anthony F Suffredini
- Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Daniel S Chertow
- Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
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Translating Professional Obligations to Care for Patients With Ebola Virus Disease Into Practice in Nonepidemic Settings. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2015; 9:527-30. [PMID: 25919348 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2015.61] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Determining how clinicians should meet their professional obligations to treat patients with Ebola virus disease in nonepidemic settings necessitates considering measures to minimize risks to clinicians, the context of care, and fairness. Minimizing risks includes providing appropriate equipment and training, implementing strategies for reducing exposure to infectious material, identifying a small number of centers to provide care, and determining which risky procedures should be used when they pose minimal likelihood of appreciable clinical benefit. Factors associated with the clinical environment, such as the local prevalence of the disease, the nature of the setting, and the availability of effective treatment, are also relevant to obligations to treat. Fairness demands that the best possible medical care be provided for health care professionals who become infected and that the rights and interests of relevant stakeholders be addressed through policy-making processes. Going forward it will be essential to learn from current approaches and to modify them based on data.
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