Scenario
A 60 year old man presents to your emergency department with breathing difficulties. He has just arrived on a flight from a country where there have been recent case reports of Avian influenza. On examination, he is febrile, drowsy and markedly dyspnoeic.
Question
a. Describe how you would minimize the contagion risk in your emergency department in this situation (50%)
Ten further patients who were on the same flight as this man present with similar symptoms in the next 24 hours.
b. Outline the additional measures required to contain the contagion risk. (50%)
Answer
FACEM SAQ Exam 2007.2 – Question 1
- The overall pass rate for this question was 67/77 (87.0%).
- Pass Criteria
- The examiners for this question felt that this was a good question addressing a very topical issue.
- Good answers identified standard measures including PPE, isolation options, early diagnosis and consultation with Public Health, ID etc.
- Part B required a more systems approach to mass presentation of possibly infective patients and included designation of specific areas, staff etc and early activation of disaster/pandemic plan options.
- Features of unsuccessful answers
- Failed answers either did not address PPE/masks or did not involve Public Health. Illegible hand writing was an issue for a significant number of candidates.
About Mike Cadogan
