Abstract

This study is a proposal for a framework for an emergency response plan (ERP) to tackle emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) in order to reduce possible hazards to medical personnel. This ERP was formulated and amended based on the PDRA-Cycle mechanism, which was developed from Deming’s PDCA Management Cycle (1986). A total of 11 emergency response management items were drawn up using document analysis and in-depth interviews to facilitate the making of applicable standard operation procedures (SOPs) for each hospital. This study includes key recommendations for the implementation of ERP, specifically for the government and hospital administrations, as follows: 1) The existing Labor Health and Safety Law should be amended to include specific guidelines for biological hazards; 2) labor should be coordinated and divided between infection control departments and occupational health and safety departments to jointly prevent the transmission of EIDs; 3) hospitals should set up SOPs based on the emergency response framework proposed in this study; 4) hospitals should establish a risk-assessment mechanism for EID hazards; 5) hospitals should strengthen the training, education and practice programs required to prevent EID hazards; and 6) hospitals should strengthen communication/coordination, setting up a framework and a center for incident command structure to deal with various emergency activities regarding EIDs.  

Key words: Emergency response plan (ERP), emerging infectious disease (EID), occupational health and safety, infection control, hospital management, biological hazard.