As the Ebola virus spreads from international news headlines to an American public health response, the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses is highlighting preventative precautions among its recommended practices that can shield personnel and patients.

"To date, none of the patients treated in the U.S. have required surgical treatment," says a statement the association issued yesterday. "However, perioperative RNs should be prepared to meet this patient need should it arise."

While Ebola is not presently an airborne virus, perioperative personnel should observe airborne precautions (in addition to standard, contact and droplet precautions) due to such aerosol-generating practices as intubation, extubation and airway suction. An isolation room should be used, if available; otherwise, care should be delivered in a portable anteroom system equipped with HEPA filtration.

Given Ebola's low infectious dose, potentially contaminated surfaces are a particularly serious concern. AORN points to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendations for environmental cleaning after operating on infected patients.

The handling, transportation and reprocessing of used surgical instruments, especially those incorporating sharp elements, should be done in accordance with standard precautions in order to avoid injury and contact with contaminants.

AORN Journal's online edition features an in-depth assessment of perioperative considerations for managing Ebola patients in the surgical setting.

David Bernard