ANNAPOLIS, MD — May 20, 2014 — In response to recent reports of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) cases in the U.S., the Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) has developed an online toolkit specifically for oral healthcare professionals.
The online kit is designed to bring dental professionals up to speed on a disease that has only recently begun to make headlines in the U.S. The kit contains:
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Links to CDC recommendations for prevention and control of MERS
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Best clinical practices for preventing the spreading of MERS
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A “talking points” script for front office for addressing early identification and possible deferral of patients with flu-like symptoms
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Links to videos, articles and research related to MERS
The toolkit will also feature ongoing updates that keep readers informed of future developments concerning the disease.
“The MERS situation in the U.S. represents a very low risk to the general public in this country at this time,” said Therese Long, executive director of OSAP. “However, dental clinicians are an important part of the healthcare system and should be knowledgeable of MERS and other transmissible diseases. In addition to the toolkit, MERS will be a leading topic of discussion at the upcoming OSAP Annual Symposium in Minneapolis in June. Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), who has been interviewed on several NBC news broadcasts over the past week, will deliver a keynote address on MERS and other infection control topics of concern,” Long said.
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Access the OSAP MERS Toolkit
The MERS Toolkit is accessible free of charge to all dental professionals at https://www.osap.org/?page=CoronaVirusToolkit.
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Information on OSAP’s Infection Control Symposium
Seats are still available for the Symposium June 5-8 in Minneapolis featuring Dr. Osterholm and over 40 other speakers addressing relevant infection control topics, protocols and resources for busy dental practices. Click on this link for more information and to register: https://www.osap.org/?page=2014SympMain.
