AARC SARS Page

		AARC SARS Page As severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, continues to spread throughout the world, respiratory therapists are naturally concerned for their patients, their co-workers, and themselves. The AARC is keeping a close eye on SARS developments and is committed to keeping its members fully informed as more becomes known about this deadly disease and how it spreads. SARS: Will It Be Different in the United States? by Sam P. Giordano, MBA, RRT, FAARC, AARC Executive Director Read this copy of Giordano's editorial, which was published in the May 2003 issue of AARC Times. News Links The following links take you to fast-breaking news stories on SARS from around the world. Check back often for updated information. FTC and FDA Crackdown on Internet Marketers of Bogus SARS Prevention Products Canadian RT describes SARS CHECK OUT THIS LINK FOR A LOOK AT WHAT RTS IN CANADA ARE WEARING TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM SARS: Public Workshop: SARS Diagnostics: Scientific and Regulatory Challenges: WHO declares SARS plague 'over its peak' Experimental Laboratory Test for SARS Made Available to 100 Labs Seventh US Patient Lab-Positive for SARS Clear Clinical Presentation Helps Physicians Quickly Identify, Manage SARS Stressed SARS health workers seeking help from Ontario for various woes CDC Telebriefing: Update on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) - Read a complete transcript of the May 22 press conference with CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding NEW! Go Here for links to information on SARS from the Hong Kong Hospital Authority NEW CONFERENCE -- SARS: Developing a Research Response Toronto Case Shows How SARS Spreads in Hospitals Key Developments Concerning SARS Virus Watch CDC Broadcast on Clinician Preparedness U.S. orders 3,000 ventilators as part of SARS precautions Mutating SARS Virus Hampering Diagnosis Genome Sequences of Two SARS Virus Strains Confirmed US Updates Interim Surveillance Case Definition for SARS Asian leaders to agree 6-point plan to fight SARS SARS severity "depends on age" Vietnam shows how to beat SARS SARS Guidance Issued to Further Safeguard the Blood Supply Hospitals scramble to protect SARS staff U.S. health workers seek better SARS protection Monkeys with coronavirus develop symptoms similar to humans' Breakthrough prompts vaccine hope for SARS Young people predominate in latest Sars deaths WHO reports SARS is being contained outside China U.S. SARS Quarantine Policy in Effect New SARS Cases Emerge in Asia after Short Break Senate to have hearing on SARS 'Gene chip' finds likely cause of SARS Speed of SARS infections may offer new clues SARS Rumor Mill Working Overtime on the Internet SARS Resources The following links provide a comprehensive overview of SARS from recognized health experts. World Health Organization Up-to-the-minute information on the number of cases worldwide, laboratory testing and etiology, affected areas of the world, and travel advice. WHO Guidelines/Recommendations/Descriptions Information on management of SARS, hospital discharge and follow-up policies for patients, case definitions for surveillance, infection control guidance, and clinical description of SARS, among others. WHO Collaborative Networks Information on the WHO collaborative multi-center research project on SARS, the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, and the WHO collaborative network of clinicians for SARS diagnosis and treatment. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention News and updates on SARS from around the world, along with links to a wide range of specific information for hospitals and clinicians, including: Frequently Asked Questions Updated Interim U.S. Case Definition of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Interim Domestic Infection Control Precautions for Aerosol-Generating Procedures on Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Interim Domestic Guidance for Management of Exposures to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) for Health-Care Settings Respiratory Protection CDC April 4, 2003 SARS Telebriefing Transcript (You can also listen to the briefing) Infection Control Precautions for Aerosol-Generating Procedures on Patients Who Have Suspected Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) SARS Fact Sheet Fact Sheet for Close Contacts of SARS Patients Fact Sheet on Isolation and Quarantine Information for Clinicians Interim Domestic Guidance for Management of Exposures to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) for Healthcare and Other Institutional Settings Interim Guidance: Ground Emergency Medical Transport for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Patients Interim Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines for Handling and Processing Specimens Associated with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Updated Interim Domestic Infection Control Guidance in the Health Care and Community Setting for Patients with Suspected SARS Triage of Patients Who May Have Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome: Interim Guidance for Screening in Ambulatory Care Settings Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Updated Interim Case Definition Specimen Collection and Shipping Resources reviewing respiratory protection practices in cases of infectious disease (mainly TB) The following papers have been published early on the NEJM web site. Access them free of charge (in .pdf format) at the following links. A Major Outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in Hong Kong A Novel Coronavirus Associated with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Identification of a Novel Coronavirus in Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Editorial: Faster . . . but Fast Enough? A Cluster of Cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Hong Kong Identification of SARS in Canada Editorial: Case Clusters of SARS Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report MMWR has included two reports on SARS: Outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Worldwide, 2003 Includes information on cases reported in various countries, along with charts and graphs illustrating various aspects of the disease, including a chart on the chain of transmission among guests at one Hong Kong hotel. Preliminary Clinical Description of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome A short description of the disease. New York Times Step by Step, Scientists Track Mystery Ailment A detailed report on scientific efforts to uncover the cause of SARS, by Lawrence K. Altman, MD.