New protocol for Ebola to lessen exposure risk

Washington: Scientists have introduced new protocol for possible Ebola patients, which reduces risk of exposure for medical personnel as well as patients.

In a breakthrough that could substantially improve physicians' ability to rapidly evaluate patients with suspected Ebola, physicians and nurses specializing in infectious diseases at Emory University Hospital have outlined a successful protocol for obtaining chest radiographs using portable computed radiography.

It not only limits the exposure of personnel and equipment to body fluids, it also minimizes the risk of contaminants leaving the isolation unit by use of thorough decontamination procedures.

The protocol is outlined in an article published ahead of print in the American Journal of Roentgenology.