René Gottschalk
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Publication
Featured researches published by René Gottschalk.
Lancet Infectious Diseases | 2009
Philippe Brouqui; Vincenzo Puro; Francesco Maria Fusco; Barbara Bannister; Stephan Schilling; P Follin; René Gottschalk; Robert Hemmer; Helena C. Maltezou; K Ott; Renaat Peleman; Christian Perronne; Gerard Sheehan; Heli Siikamäki; Peter Skinhoj; Giuseppe Ippolito
Summary The European Network for Infectious Diseases (EUNID) is a network of clinicians, public health epidemiologists, microbiologists, infection control, and critical-care doctors from the European member states, who are experienced in the management of patients with highly infectious diseases. We aim to develop a consensus recommendation for infection control during clinical management and invasive procedures in such patients. After an extensive literature review, draft recommendations were amended jointly by 27 partners from 15 European countries. Recommendations include repetitive training of staff to ascertain infection control, systematic use of cough and respiratory etiquette at admission to the emergency department, fluid sampling in the isolation room, and analyses in biosafety level 3/4 laboratories, and preference for point-of-care bedside laboratory tests. Children should be cared for by paediatricians and intensive-care patients should be cared for by critical-care doctors in high-level isolation units (HLIU). Invasive procedures should be avoided if unnecessary or done in the HLIU, as should chest radiography, ultrasonography, and renal dialysis. Procedures that require transport of patients out of the HLIU should be done during designated sessions or hours in secure transport. Picture archiving and communication systems should be used. Post-mortem examination should be avoided; biopsy or blood collection is preferred.
BMC Infectious Diseases | 2012
Francesco Maria Fusco; Stefan Schilling; Giuseppina De Iaco; Hans Reinhard Brodt; Philippe Brouqui; Helena C. Maltezou; Barbara Bannister; René Gottschalk; Gail Thomson; Vincenzo Puro; Giuseppe Ippolito
BackgroundIn Emergency and Medical Admission Departments (EDs and MADs), prompt recognition and appropriate infection control management of patients with Highly Infectious Diseases (HIDs, e.g. Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers and SARS) are fundamental for avoiding nosocomial outbreaks.MethodsThe EuroNHID (European Network for Highly Infectious Diseases) project collected data from 41 EDs and MADs in 14 European countries, located in the same facility as a national/regional referral centre for HIDs, using specifically developed checklists, during on-site visits from February to November 2009.ResultsIsolation rooms were available in 34 facilities (82,9%): these rooms had anteroom in 19, dedicated entrance in 15, negative pressure in 17, and HEPA filtration of exhausting air in 12. Only 6 centres (14,6%) had isolation rooms with all characteristics. Personnel trained for the recognition of HIDs was available in 24 facilities; management protocols for HIDs were available in 35.ConclusionsPreparedness level for the safe and appropriate management of HIDs is partially adequate in the surveyed EDs and MADs.
Journal of Hospital Infection | 2009
Francesco Maria Fusco; V. Puro; A Baka; Barbara Bannister; Hans-Reinhard Brodt; Philippe Brouqui; P Follin; I.E. Gjorup; René Gottschalk; Robert Hemmer; I.M. Hoepelman; Boo Jarhall; K. Kutsar; Simone Lanini; O. Lyytikainen; Helena C. Maltezou; K. Mansinho; Magda Campins Martí; K Ott; Renaat Peleman; Christian Perronne; Gerard Sheehan; H. Siikamakii; P Skinhoj; A. Trilla; N. Vetter; Giuseppe Ippolito
Summary Isolation of patients with highly infectious diseases (HIDs) in hospital rooms with adequate technical facilities is essential to reduce the risk of spreading disease. The European Network for Infectious Diseases (EUNID), a project co-funded by European Commission and involving 16 European Union member states, performed an inventory of high level isolation rooms (HIRs, hospital rooms with negative pressure and anteroom). In participating countries, HIRs are available in at least 211 hospitals, with at least 1789 hospital beds. The adequacy of this number is not known and will depend on prevailing circumstances. Sporadic HID cases can be managed in the available HIRs. HIRs could also have a role in the initial phases of an influenza pandemic. However, large outbreaks due to natural or to bioterrorist events will need management strategies involving healthcare facilities other than HIRs.
Journal of Hospital Infection | 2012
Helena C. Maltezou; Francesco Maria Fusco; Stefan Schilling; G. De Iaco; René Gottschalk; Hans-Reinhard Brodt; Barbara Bannister; Philippe Brouqui; Gail Thomson; V. Puro; Giuseppe Ippolito
Summary Background The management of patients with highly infectious diseases (HIDs) is a challenge for healthcare provision requiring a high level of care without compromising the safety of other patients and healthcare workers. Aim To study the infection control practice in isolation facilities participating in the European Network for Highly Infectious Diseases (EuroNHID) project. Methods A survey was conducted during 2009 of 48 isolation facilities caring for patients with HIDs in 16 European countries. Checklists and standard evaluation forms were used to collect and interpret data on hand hygiene, routine hygiene and disinfection, and waste management. Findings Forty percent of HIDs had no non-hand-operated sinks or alcohol-based antiseptic distributors, while 27% did not have procedures for routine hygiene, final disinfection, or safe discarding of non-disposable objects or equipment. There was considerable variation in the management of waste and in the training of housekeeping personnel. EuroNHID has developed recommendations for hand hygiene, disinfection, routine hygiene, and waste management. Conclusions Most aspects of hand hygiene, routine hygiene and disinfection, and waste management were considered at least partially adequate in the majority of European isolation facilities dedicated for the care of patients with HIDs. But considerable variability was observed, with management of waste and training of housekeeping personnel being generally less satisfactory.
BMC Research Notes | 2012
Simon Djamel Thiberville; Stefan Schilling; Giuseppina De Iaco; Francesco Maria Fusco; Gail Thomson; Helen C. Maltezou; René Gottschalk; Reinhard Brodt; Barbara Bannister; Vincenzo Puro; Giuseppe Ippolito; Philippe Brouqui
BackgroundHighly infectious diseases (HIDs) are defined as being transmissible from person to person, causing life-threatening illnesses and presenting a serious public health hazard. The sampling, handling and transport of specimens from patients with HIDs present specific bio-safety concerns.FindingsThe European Network for HID project aimed to record, in a cross-sectional study, the infection control capabilities of referral centers for HIDs across Europe and assesses the level of achievement to previously published guidelines. In this paper, we report the current diagnostic capabilities and bio-safety measures applied to diagnostic procedures in these referral centers. Overall, 48 isolation facilities in 16 European countries were evaluated. Although 81% of these referral centers are located near a biosafety level 3 laboratory, 11% and 31% of them still performed their microbiological and routine diagnostic analyses, respectively, without bio-safety measures.ConclusionsThe discrepancies among the referral centers surveyed between the level of practices and the European Network of Infectious Diseases (EUNID) recommendations have multiple reasons of which the interest of the individuals in charge and the investment they put in preparedness to emerging outbreaks. Despite the fact that the less prepared centers can improve by just updating their practice and policies any support to help them to achieve an acceptable level of biosecurity is welcome.
Clinical Microbiology and Infection | 2015
Stefan Schilling; Helena C. Maltezou; Francesco Maria Fusco; G. De Iaco; Hans-Reinhard Brodt; Barbara Bannister; Philippe Brouqui; G. Carson; V. Puro; René Gottschalk; Giuseppe Ippolito; Norbert Vetter; Mira Kojouharova; Kremena Parmakova; Peter Skinhoej; Heli Siikamäki; Christian Perronne; Olga Adrami; John Lambert; Simone Lanini; Robert Hemmer; M.A. Borg; Anne Lise Fjellet; Arne Broch Brantsæter; Andrzej Horban; Franc Strle; Antoni Trilla
Highly infectious diseases (HIDs) are defined as being transmissible from person to person, causing life-threatening illnesses and presenting a serious public health hazard. In most European Union member states specialized isolation facilities are responsible for the management of such cases. Ground ambulances are often affiliated with those facilities because rapid relocation of patients is most desirable. To date, no pooled data on the accessibility, technical specifications and operational procedures for such transport capacities are available. During 2009, the ‘European Network for HIDs’ conducted a cross-sectional analysis of hospitals responsible for HID patients in Europe including an assessment of (a) legal aspects; (b) technical and infrastructure aspects; and (c) operational procedures for ground ambulances used for HID transport. Overall, 48 isolation facilities in 16 European countries were evaluated and feedback rates ranged from 78% to 100% (n = 37 to n = 48 centres). Only 46.8% (22/47) of all centres have both national and local guidelines regulating HID patient transport. If recommended, specific equipment is found in 90% of centres (9/10), but standard ambulances in only 6/13 centres (46%). Exclusive entrances (32/45; 71%) and pathways (30/44; 68.2%) for patient admission, as well as protocols for disinfection of ambulances (34/47; 72.3%) and equipment (30/43; 69.8%) exist in most centres. In conclusion, the availability and technical specifications of ambulances broadly differ, reflecting different preparedness levels within the European Union. Hence, regulations for technical specifications and operational procedures should be harmonized to promote patient and healthcare worker safety.
new microbes and new infections | 2018
Francesco Maria Fusco; Philippe Brouqui; Giuseppe Ippolito; N. Vetter; M. Kojouharova; K. Parmakova; P. Skinhoej; Heli Siikamäki; Christian Perronne; Stefan Schilling; René Gottschalk; Hans-Reinhard Brodt; Helena C. Maltezou; O. Adrami; J. Lambert; V. Puro; G. De Iaco; Robert Hemmer; M.A. Borg; Anne Lise Fjellet; Arne Broch Brantsæter; Andrzej Horban; F. Strle; A. Trilla; Barbara Bannister; G. Carson
Abstract Epidemics such as viral haemorrhagic fevers, severe acute respiratory syndrome, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus or yet unknown ones have few chances of disappearing. Globalization, worldwide travel, climate change, social conflicts and wars, among others, are likely to favor the emergence of epidemics. Preparedness of hospitals to prevent the spread of these outbreaks is among the prioritized political programmes of many countries. The EuroNHID network has in the past drawn a map of features and equipment of hospitals across Europe to take care of highly contagious patients. We update the data regarding isolation capabilities and recommendations, with an emphasis on Mediterranean countries.
PLOS ONE | 2014
Stefan Schilling; Francesco Maria Fusco; Giuseppina De Iaco; Barbara Bannister; Helena C. Maltezou; Gail Carson; René Gottschalk; Hans Reinhard Brodt; Philippe Brouqui; Vincenzo Puro; Giuseppe Ippolito
Eurosurveillance | 2007
A Baka; Francesco Maria Fusco; V. Puro; N. Vetter; P Skinhoj; K Ott; Heli Siikamäki; H R Brodt; René Gottschalk; P Follin; B Bannister; G De Carli; Carla Nisii; J Heptonstall; Giuseppe Ippolito
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology | 2012
Giuseppina De Iaco; Vincenzo Puro; Francesco Maria Fusco; Stefan Schilling; Helena C. Maltezou; Philippe Brouqui; René Gottschalk; Barbara Bannister; Hans-Reinhard Brodt; Heli Siikamäki; Christian Perronne; Arne Broch Brantsæter; Anne Lise Fjellet; Giuseppe Ippolito