1. Biocontainment Patient Care Unit— Medical Care Issues
Philip W. Smith, MD
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska, USA

2. Operational Guidelines
Policies/Procedures
65 unit specific policies and procedures
11 Practice Guidelines
Standard Order Sets for 11 Diseases
Federal and State Regulations
Laboratory Standards
Infection Control Standards
Hospital Standards

3. NEBRASKA BIOCONTAINMENT (NBC) UNIT POLICY LIST (revised 4/25/07)

4. Operational Issues Personal Protective Equipment
Disease specific vs levels of isolation
N-95 Masks plus PPE
Powered air purifying respirators -PAPRS
Impervious gowns and shoe covering
Double or triple gloves
Training

6. Medical Care Issues
Spectrum of care: observation to ICU, pediatric to adult
Decide on clinical services offered in the unit (eg, ? surgery)
Lab testing: Decide on tests to be offered in the unit. Protocols for obtaining and handling specimens. On site lab tests vs transportation of specimens. Transport issues. Mail-out samples.
Pathology: Autopsies? Cremation? Transportation of bodies (body sealers). Laboratory certification.
Consultants: Credentialing and training. ?Volunteers. ? Video consulting. ?Trainees allowed.

7. Medical Care Issues Cont.
Electronic charts recommended.
Equipment: Permanently in the unit, or brought in? Terminal cleaning
Patient transport
Approach to cardiac arrests
Staffing issues (reserve staff, length of shifts, staff turnover)
Security in the unit