Hanoa R O, Moen B E
Oslo University Hospital University of Bergen.
University of Bergen
Workplace Health Saf. 2016 Feb;64(2):48-50. doi: 10.1177/2165079915608405. Epub 2015 Nov 11.
The Ebola epidemic in West Africa presents a considerable occupational risk to the health personnel involved. The principal mode of virus transmission to health care personnel is through direct contact with the patient, although transmission by aerosols through the air may also occur. Many safety protocols have been suggested relating to personal protection and particularly respiratory protection. It is generally agreed that all health care workers should have easy access to personal protective equipment. However, the degree of respiratory safety escalates from a mask, to an adequate respirator, and finally to a whole body suit with integrated helmet and positive air pressure. Recent publications demonstrate a lack of consensus on the degree of safety necessary. The step from "safe enough" to being "absolutely safe" seems, in most countries, insurmountable because of costs and logistics.
西非的埃博拉疫情给相关医护人员带来了相当大的职业风险。病毒传播给医护人员的主要途径是直接接触患者，不过也可能通过空气气溶胶传播。已经提出了许多关于个人防护尤其是呼吸防护的安全规程。人们普遍认为，所有医护人员都应能方便地获取个人防护装备。然而，呼吸安全程度从口罩提升到合适的呼吸器，最后到带有集成头盔和正压的全身防护服。最近的出版物表明，对于所需的安全程度缺乏共识。在大多数国家，由于成本和后勤问题，从“足够安全”到“绝对安全”这一步似乎难以跨越。
