Are you ready for an influx of SARS patients?

Under a new accreditation standard, EDs and all departments must be prepared to handle an influx, or the risk of an influx, of infectious patients. Collaborate with your infection control committee, disaster management committee, local board of health, and other providers to develop protocols and policies. Hold disaster drills in which you must handle infectious patients. ED staff, particularly the triage nurses, need training in early recognition of presenting symptoms of infectious diseases.