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If a surge in patients overwhelms existing healthcare capacity or if
home isolation is not feasible for individual patients, jurisdictions
might need to use alternative facilities in the community for the isolation
of SARS patient. In most situations, community isolation facilities will
house and care for patients with milder cases of SARS-CoV disease These
patients can be expected to care for themselves and are not expected
to have significant healthcare needs. The specific precautions that will
be required will depend in part of the type of facility designated for
community isolation (e.g., motel, hotel, hospital). The same infection
control principles that apply to home isolation apply to community isolation
facilities. However, in community settings, personnel who are in the
facility should be trained and fit-tested for an N-95 respirator.
- Community
isolation facilities should have rooms with private bathrooms.
- Personnel
who enter the room should wear an N-95 respirator. If there will be
direct contact with the patient or the patient's environment, a disposable
isolation gown and gloves should be worn.
- Receptacles
for soiled linen/laundry and contaminated waste should be placed in
designated locations. Follow home care guidelines above for handling
these materials.
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