MMWR Summary for September 15, 2017

September 15, 2017 Use of Unannounced Mystery Patient Drills to Assess Hospital Emergency Department Preparedness for Communicable Diseases of Public Health Concern — New York City, 2016 Stephanie Buhle NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene sbuhle@health.nyc.gov Mobile: (646) 946-5249 Press Office: (347) 396-4177 Rates and Trends of Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia — United States, 2001–2014 CDC Media Relations 404-639-3286 Occupational Animal Exposure Among Persons with Campylobacteriosis and Cryptosporidiosis — Nebraska, 2005–2015 CDC Media Relations 404-639-3286 Updated Dosing Instructions for Immune Globulin (Human) GamaSTAN S/D for Hepatitis A Virus Prophylaxis CDC Media Relations 404-639-3286 Use of Unannounced Mystery Patient Drills to Assess Hospital Emergency Department Preparedness for Communicable Diseases of Public Health Concern — New York City, 2016 Unannounced screening and isolation drills using standard scenarios and evaluation strategies are useful for strengthening hospital capability to identify and safely respond to severe, highly infectious diseases. Rapid recognition and isolation of patients with severe, highly infectious diseases in healthcare settings is a critical step in limiting the spread of communicable diseases. New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene conducted 95 unannounced ”mystery patient drills” in 49 Emergency Departments (EDs) to evaluate communicable disease response capabilities in the acute care setting. In each drill, an actor entered the ED reporting symptoms of an infectious disease. Exercise evaluators documented the implementation of screening, isolation, and infection control protocols. Overall, the ”patient” was masked and isolated in 78 percent of drills. Each hospital identified ways to strengthen their infectious disease response plans. NYC developed a toolkit to help hospitals conduct their own drills using standard scenarios, evaluation guides, and reporting templates. Rates and Trends of Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia — United States, 2001–2014 Overall, leukemia in children and adolescents is very rare. However, the federal government, along with local and state partners, monitors for increases or decreases in childhood cancer and works with a variety of organizations to improve the treatment and long-term care for these children and adolescents with cancer. Further research is needed to better understand the cause(s) of leukemia and how to improve survival. The most prevalent type of childhood cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), affects children, adolescents, and their families across the United States. In a new study, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that ALL among children and adolescents increased during 2001–2008 and specifically among Hispanics, although ALL did not increase during 2008–2014. ALL was most common in Hispanics, children aged 1–4 years, and in the West and Northeast regions of the country. While the cause of most cases of leukemia is unknown, this study may help researchers learn why leukemia is more common in these specific groups. Knowing who is most commonly affected by leukemia helps health care professionals better address the needs of children and adolescents needing treatment and long-term care after treatment. Read More