Oh yes Vinnie.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Vinnie Della Speranza" 
To: ; ;

Sent: Friday, January 10, 2003 10:26 AM
Subject: HISTONETTERS PLEASE READ!!! RE: Smallpox protocols


> I hear you Tim but I have a concern and would appreciate your opinion
> about this. it is my understanding from what I've read that patients in
> the prodromal period, which can last 2-4 days and precedes appearance of
> a rash, can sometimes be infectious. we do forensic cases here. I can
> envision an individual who thinks he has the flu heading off to the
> local Eckerd's for over the coutner medication and is killed in a fatal
> car wreck. He ends up on my autopsy table as an MVA victim.
> I don't believe this scenario is outside the realm of possibilities.
>
> not wishing to cause anyone anxiety by bringing this up. I'm being told
> that mortuary and autopsy personnel are not among those to be
> vaccinated, at least initially, here. This may be based upon the belief
> that the Feds will assume responsibility in the event of a smallpox
> outbreak. I wonder if anyone has considered the scenario I've mentioned
>
>
>
>
>
> Vinnie Della Speranza
> Manager for Anatomic Pathology Services
> Medical University of South Carolina
> 165 Ashley Avenue  Suite 309
> Charleston, SC 29425
> Ph: 843-792-6353
> fax: 843-792-8974
>
> >>> "Morken, Tim"  01/10/03 08:31AM >>>
> Jude, and everyone else for that matter, PLEASE go to this website. It
> has a
> lot of info, including lab specimen collection. And PLEASE DO NOT EVEN
> THINK
> OF DOING FROZEN SECTIONS ON SMALLPOX!!! Frozens, or even an autopsy
> would
> have to be done in an air-isolatin room - which you most likely do not
> have.
> You would also need to wear isolation suits to do frozens. Even
> specimen
> collection is done in isolation with extreme precautions.
>
> On this website look for "Laboratory Testing", then go to Specimen
> Collection Guidelines, Guide-D, and also read the entire "Smallpox
> Response
> Plan & Guidelines"
>
> http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/index.asp
>
>
> Tim Morken EMT(MSA), HTL(ASCP)
> Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
> Infectious Disease Pathology
> MS-G32
> 1600 Clifton Road
> Atlanta, GA 30333
>
> PH 404-639-3964
> FAX 404-639-3043
> email tim9@cdc.gov
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Carpenter, Judith A. [mailto:Jude.Carpenter@vtmednet.org]
> Sent: Friday, January 10, 2003 7:29 AM
> To: 'NSH'
> Subject: Smallpox protocols
>
>
> Does anyone have an established or proposed protocol for how
> they will deal with tissues from a "suspicious case" in which the
> clinician might suspect smallpox and who at their facility will be
> vaccinated up front ?
> Our facility is working on a Bioterrorism matrix determining who needs
> up
> front
> vaccinations should a smallpox threat present itself anywhere in
> the world including the USA (our Level one).  We will be given limited
> vaccine initially.
> The plan goes from Level one ("Convincing Threat" up to Level six where
> we
> have multiple
> cases at our facility.
> We must determine who would get the limited number of vaccinations at
> Level
> one
> (once we go beyond that the state will institute their plan).
> We have chosen autopsy personnel and a few individuals in the Surgical
> Dissection area
> who might do frozen sections on suspicious cases.
> Of course anytime a case is confirmed small pox we will cease to do
> frozens
> on any
> suspicious cases and will not autopsy deceased small pox victims.
> I was asked to throw this question out to you folks to see if anyone
> else
> has a protocol
> we may learn from.
> Appreciate your help and Happy Friday-
> Jude
> Jude Carpenter, BS, HTL(ASCP)
> Chief Technologist
> FAHC Histopathology
> 111 Colchester Ave.
> Burlington, VT  05401
> (802)847-5116
> FAX(802)847-3509
> jude.carpenter@vtmednet.org
>
>
>
>
>