Thursday, November 10, 2016

More about Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute (BIDI)

Today we had the opportunity to learn about MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) and the pharmacists' roles in tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment from several doctors and pharmacists at Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute.  

The hospital has had 3 confirmed cases of MERS, which is said to have a mortality rate of about 30%.  Due to the health care workers' diligence in placing these patients in isolation rooms and wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as a mask, gown, and gloves, none of the hospital staff working with these patients transmitted the infection.   Below is an example of a PPE station, located outside one of the isolation rooms (also note the signs on the wall, with step-by-step instructions).   



Pharmacists at the hospital work with both adult and pediatric patients starting new antiretroviral (ARV) therapy and patients with poor adherence to their ARV medications.  Pictured below are examples of a pamphlet and tray of medications used to help educate patients about their medications.


Interestingly, the hospital doesn't have a specific HIV/ARV clinic; rather, all of the doctors working at the hospital are HIV specialists, so patients with HIV can see any one of these doctors.  This minimizes any discrimination or stigma against patients with HIV.  For example, HIV patients coming in for an appointment will sit in the same waiting area as patients with any other chronic condition (like high blood pressure).  In contrast, since TB is spread through airborne droplets, there is a separate waiting area for patients with TB.  

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