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A Cross-Border Biorisk Toolkit for Healthcare Professionals

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  • Pierre Vandenberghe

    (Centre for Applied Molecular Technologies (CTMA), Institute for Clinical and Experimental Research (IREC), Université Catholique de Louvain, Tour Claude Bernard, Avenue Hippocrate, 54–55, bte B1.54.01, 1200 Bruxelles, Belgium)

  • Jessica S. Hayes

    (School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland)

  • Maire A. Connolly

    (School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland)

  • Jean-Luc Gala

    (Centre for Applied Molecular Technologies (CTMA), Institute for Clinical and Experimental Research (IREC), Université Catholique de Louvain, Tour Claude Bernard, Avenue Hippocrate, 54–55, bte B1.54.01, 1200 Bruxelles, Belgium)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges to public health, exposing first responders to high biosafety risks during medical assistance and containment efforts. The PANDEM-2 study aimed to address these critical biosafety issues by emphasising the importance of frequently updated, harmonised guidelines. This study reviewed scientific publications, lessons learned, and real-world experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic to identify biorisk gaps in three critical areas: (i) patient transportation and management, (ii) sample handling and testing, and (iii) data management and communication by laboratory staff. At the onset of the pandemic, first responders faced several challenges, including the rapid expansion of emergency medical services, conversion of non-medical structures, increased internal and cross-border transport of infected patients, frequent changes in biosafety protocols, and a shortage of personal protective equipment. In response, this study developed a versatile and easily adaptable toolkit, including biosafety guidance and recommendations linked to updated national and international online repositories. It establishes the groundwork for a minimum standard that can be tailored to various pandemic response scenarios, using monkeypox as a fictive test case. The toolkit enables rapid access to updated information via QR codes and mobile devices, improving biorisk response by providing an adaptable and standardised approach for caregivers involved in national and cross-border responses.

Suggested Citation

  • Pierre Vandenberghe & Jessica S. Hayes & Maire A. Connolly & Jean-Luc Gala, 2024. "A Cross-Border Biorisk Toolkit for Healthcare Professionals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(9), pages 1-9, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:9:p:1261-:d:1483927
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mostafa Bentahir & Mamadou Diouldé Barry & Kekoura Koulemou & Jean-Luc Gala, 2022. "Providing On-Site Laboratory and Biosafety Just-In-Time Training Inside a Box-Based Laboratory during the West Africa Ebola Outbreak: Supporting Better Preparedness for Future Health Emergencies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-13, September.
    2. Pierre Vandenberghe & Luis Manuel Ladeira & Margarida Gil & Ivo Cardoso & Fatima Rato & Jessica S. Hayes & Maire A. Connolly & Jean-Luc Gala, 2024. "Biosafety Issues in Patient Transport during COVID-19: A Case Study on the Portuguese Emergency Services," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(1), pages 1-10, January.
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