GNYHA continues to monitor measles guidance and resources from New York City, the New York State Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Below is recently issued CDC and DOH guidance.
CDC Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Measles
The CDC has posted Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Measles in Healthcare Settings. This interim guidance should be implemented in the context of a comprehensive infection prevention program to prevent transmission of all infectious agents among patients, health care personnel (HCP), and visitors. The interim guidance recommends:
- Ensuring HCPs have presumptive evidence of immunity to measles
- Rapid identification and isolation of patients with known or suspected measles
- Adhering to standard and airborne precautions for patients with known or suspected measles
- Promoting and facilitating respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette
- Appropriately managing exposed and ill HCPs
The interim guidance contains recommendations for each of the above core infection prevention and control strategies.
DOH Measles Guidance for EMS
DOH’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (BEMS) recently issued guidance for emergency medical services (EMS) providers responding to a patient with suspected measles. The guidance encourages providers to adopt policies and procedures for the treatment of patients with communicable diseases and contains recommendations for inclusion in a measles response plan. It also provides information on measles epidemiology and clinical features, and includes specific recommendations for EMS personnel. Recommendations include assessment and screening of patients with febrile rash illness, use of personal protective equipment, transport considerations including notifying the receiving facility prior to arrival, decontamination considerations, and post-exposure follow-up. The BEMS guidance includes a fact sheet that can be distributed to EMS personnel, as well as a measles EMS contact form, which is required to be completed for any suspected measles related ambulance transport and faxed to BEMS.
Please contact Alison Burke with EMS questions, and Zeynep Sumer King or Jenna Mandel-Ricci with measles questions.