Hospital%20

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Hospital Transport Care of the Highly
Infectious Patient

• Elizabeth L. Beam, RN, MSN
• UNMC College of Nursing
• www.onlineheroes.org

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Biocontainment Care
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Biocontainment Transport Issues

• Unit weight, sturdiness and portability
• Compatibility with fixed wing aircraft,
  helicopters and ambulances
• Patient monitoring capability
• Air flow
• HEPA filtration of exit air
• Waste management, amount of space inside
• Unit durability, reusability, cost

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Biocontainment Care Expertise

• Military
• US Army USAMRIID
• Public Health
• Centers for Disease Control
• Civilian
• Nebraska Biocontainment Unit

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Military
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Public Health/CDC
Pictures provided by Alexander Isakov, MD,
MPH Emory Emergency Medicine Grady EMS
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Civilian
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Points for discussion

• Community resources
• Care for the potentially exposed
• Slow, calculated response
• Exercise the plan (unexpected issues)
• Care of the isolated
• Walk a mile in their shoes.
• Humidity, dexterity, tools needed.

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References

• Christopher, G. W., Eitzen, E. M. (1999). Air
  evacuation under high-level biosafety
  containment The aeromedical isolation team.
  Emerging Infectious Disease, 5(2), 241-246.
• Marklund, L. A. (2003). Patient care in a
  biosafety level-4 (BSL-4) environment. Critical
  Care Nursing Clinics of North America, 15(2),
  245-255.

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Contact Information/Questions?

• Kate Boulter, RN (Lead RN, Neb BCU)
• kboulter_at_nebraskamed.com
• Beth Beam, RN, MSN (HEROES Coordinator)
• 402-559-6547
• ebeam_at_unmc.edu
• www.onlineheroes.org