Amid the state of alert over Monkeypox (Mpox), the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the handling of suspected cases in its Emergency Department.
Over 500 people have been reported to have died in the recent months in Democratic Republic of Congo alone. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared MPox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on 14th August 2024.
The AIIMS notification stated that MPox, a viral zoonosis, requires heightened awareness, rapid identification, and stringent infection control measures to prevent further spread.
Protocol for Handling Patients with Suspected Monkeypox
- Screening in Triage area:
– Upon arrival, patients with fever, rash, or a history of contact with confirmed Mpox cases should be flagged for immediate assessment.
– Identify key symptoms: fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion, and characteristic skin lesions (maculopapular rash that may progress to vesicles and pustules).
- Isolation/ Holding area:
– Immediately place suspected patients in a designated isolation area to minimize contact with other patients and staff.
– Beds will be allotted to the MONKEY POX patients on the recommendation of the Emergency CMO and treated by the Medicine department AB-7 shall remain a temporary holding area for the patient till he/she is shifted to the hospital earmarked for the definitive care (Safdarjung Hospital).
- Notification to IDSP:
– Inform the officials of Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (DSP) when a suspected case is identified
– Provide them with the patient’s details, brief history, clinical findings and contact details
- Referral to Safarjung Hospital:
– Any patient suspected of having monkey pox should be referred to Safdarjung Hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
- Ambulance:
– A dedicated ambulance has been allotted to shift the patients to designated hospital. The Emergency staff has to inform the ambulance coordinator to shift the suspected MPox patient.
- Patient Handling and Isolation:
– All patients should be handled with strict infection control measures.
– Staff should use personal protective equipment (PPE) when dealing with suspected MPox cases.
- Documentation and Communication:
– Proper documentation of the patient’s details, symptoms, and referral process should be maintained.
Read more: WHO declares Monkey Pox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern
