Ebola virus disease: the UK critical care perspective

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Critical Care Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• The recent Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak necessitated specialized patient management within the UK's National Health Service (NHS).
• Effective treatment of viral hemorrhagic fevers demands a robust understanding of therapeutic options within secure biocontainment environments.
• High-consequence infectious diseases require dedicated facilities to ensure patient and healthcare worker safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report on the management experiences of EVD patients treated in the UK.
• To highlight critical care and anesthesia considerations for EVD patient management.
• To describe the function and safety of a High Level Isolation Unit (HLIU) in managing highly contagious diseases.

Main Methods:

• The study focuses on patient care within the Royal Free Hospital's High Level Isolation Unit (HLIU) in London.
• Trexler isolator tents were utilized to maintain strict biocontainment and prevent pathogen transmission.
• The unit facilitated the provision of invasive organ support when clinically indicated, without increasing staff risk.

Main Results:

• The HLIU provided a safe environment for treating patients with EVD.
• Invasive organ support was successfully administered to EVD patients within the biocontainment setting.
• No additional risk to healthcare staff was observed during patient management.

Conclusions:

• The Royal Free Hospital's HLIU is a capable facility for managing EVD patients.
• Anesthesia and critical care interventions can be safely implemented in high-level isolation for EVD.
• Effective biocontainment is crucial for managing highly infectious hemorrhagic fevers like EVD.