Researchers develop a laboratory toolkit to assist frontline healthcare facilities or the care of patients with suspected viral hemorrhagic fevers.
By Dr. Sanchari Sinha Dutta, Ph.D.Reviewed by Benedette Cuffari, M.Sc.Oct 30 2024 With viral hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola and Marburg posing severe threats, a new laboratory toolkit promises to enhance early detection and containment, empowering frontline healthcare workers to save lives and limit the spread of these lethal diseases.
What are VHFs? VHFs, such as Ebola virus disease, Marburg virus disease, and Lassa fever, are highly contagious infectious diseases that are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Thus, the rapid detection and isolation of individuals with suspected VHF is imperative to prevent further transmission.
Laboratory toolkit development In the current study, researchers from the Massachusetts General Hospital developed a Laboratory Testing Toolkit for suspected VHF patients to support regional preparedness through evidence-based approaches, innovative tools, and education. The Toolkit was screened repeatedly by subject matter experts using a Plan-Do-Study-Act framework. The utility and completeness of the Toolkit were assessed by collecting feedback from various end-users. The researchers subsequently distributed the Toolkit to acute care facilities within the Mass General Brigham healthcare system in the winter of 2023-2024.
The Toolkit provides detailed information on the minimum laboratory testing necessary for safe and supportive care of suspected VHF patients before ruling out VHF diagnosis or transfering the patients to a higher level of care. Limitations of the Toolkit Despite developing the Toolkit to facilitate initial laboratory testing of suspect VHF patients, the researchers identify certain limitations that frontline clinical laboratories must consider.
Blood Ebola Virus Disease Electrolyte Epidemiology Fever Healthcare Hospital Infection Control Infectious Diseases Malaria Marburg Virus Mortality Virus
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