Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2026
12:18
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
Published on: February 9, 2011
Emergency department visits for concern regarding anthrax--New Jersey, 2001
Paul C Allegra1, D Cochrane, E Dunn
1Morristown Memorial Hospital Residency in Emergency Medicine, Morristown, New Jersey, USA.
MMWR Supplements
|September 24, 2005
Summary
Following the 2001 anthrax attacks, emergency departments (EDs) saw a significant rise in concern for exposure (CE) visits, particularly in Trenton, highlighting the need for clear biosurveillance and public health guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- The 2001 anthrax attacks prompted increased emergency department (ED) visits due to public concern over bioterrorism agents.
- Understanding these visits is crucial for designing effective biosurveillance systems and public health responses during a crisis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize ED visits related to concerns about biologic terrorism agents after the 2001 anthrax attack in New Jersey.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 15 New Jersey EDs.
- Patient visits were categorized over four periods in 2001, using ICD-9 codes for "Feared Complaint-No Diagnosis" and "Screening for Infectious Disease" to identify concern for exposure (CE) visits.
- Data included patient demographics, reported exposures, diagnostic tests, and treatments.
Main Results:
- A total of 698 CE visits occurred among 225,403 ED visits.
- CE visit percentages peaked in October 2001 (0.92%), with Trenton EDs showing a higher percentage (1.81%) compared to non-Trenton EDs (0.82%).
- During the peak period, 508 visits were linked to anthrax concerns, with 47% reporting powder exposure and 13% being postal workers.
Conclusions:
- A notable increase in CE visits occurred post-October 11, 2001, with a disproportionately higher increase in Trenton EDs.
- Significant variation in diagnostic evaluations and treatments was observed, underscoring the need for standardized guidelines.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Transmission-based precautions are for patients infected or suspected to be infected (or colonized) with organisms posing a significant risk to others. The transmission precautions include airborne and protective environment precautions.
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
01:17Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets
Transmission-based precautions are for patients known to be infected or suspected to be infected or colonized with organisms that pose a significant risk to others. Some transmission-based precautions include contact, enteric, and droplet.
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...
01:14SBAR II: Application of SBAR
SBAR is an effective communication tool used by healthcare professionals to communicate patient information accurately. SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. For a better understanding, an example is given below.
SBAR Report from a Nurse to a Health Care Provider
S: "Hello, Dr. Smith. This is Jane, RN, from the Med Surg unit. I am calling to tell you about Ms. White in Room 210, who is experiencing increased pain and redness at her incision site. Her recent...
SBAR Report from a Nurse to a Health Care Provider
S: "Hello, Dr. Smith. This is Jane, RN, from the Med Surg unit. I am calling to tell you about Ms. White in Room 210, who is experiencing increased pain and redness at her incision site. Her recent...
01:23Investigation of Disease Outbreaks
Multistate foodborne outbreaks pose significant public health risks and require meticulous investigation to identify sources and implement control measures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) utilizes a dynamic seven-step process for these investigations, integrating data from laboratories, interviews, and environmental assessments to protect public health.Outbreak Detection: The detection of multistate outbreaks typically begins with PulseNet, the CDC's national laboratory...
01:25Inhalation Anthrax
Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium. It primarily affects herbivorous animals but can be transmitted to humans through skin contact, ingestion, or inhalation of spores.Cutaneous anthrax, the most common form, typically results from direct contact with bacterial spores through skin abrasions and is generally less severe. Gastrointestinal anthrax results from eating undercooked or contaminated meat. It affects the mouth, throat, or...
01:26Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.