Guest Author - Ruby Joiner

On April 4th, President Bush granted federal health officials the authority to involuntarily quarantine Americans who become ill with SARS. The move marks the first time in 20 years that a new disease has been added to the involuntary quarantine list.

Nurse are the frontline health-care workers, who very often are the first ones to assess or come into contact with patients. It's very important for nurses to know what the illness is all about, how it's defined and what they can do to prevent transmission.

SARS produces a fever equal to or greater than 100.5 degrees F and respiratory symptoms, such as cough, shortness of breath or hypoxia. Most patients are adults, age 25 to 70, in previously good health.

When triaging patients, quickly ascertain if thoses with respiratory symptoms have traveled to Southeast Asia or been in close contact with someone who has been to the region.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends health workers use the same respiratory isolation required with tuberculosis. Immediately put a mask on the patient. Then transport him or her to a room with negative air pressure so contaminated air does not circulate throughout the hospital.

Care providers should wear a N-95 fit-tested respirator or a similar hospital-approved device. To avoid contact with body fluids and mucus membranes, put on a gown, glove and don face shields.Emply good hand-washing techniques.

With an unknown etiology, treatment is limited.Doctors typically order multiple antibiotics, a standard protocal for pneumonia; antiviral drugs, such as oseltamivir or ribavirin; and steroids to decrease inflammation. Globally, 10% to 20% of patients require mechanical ventilation, but one in the U.S. have been known to require such care.

At discharge, instruct the patient to continue infection control precautions for 10 days after symptoms resolve and limit activities to aviod public places.

Nurses are on the front line for infection control, we are the people who really need to be alert to this, know how to elicit information that would ferret out potential cases and know what to do if they think they have a suspect cases.