Infectious Disease Hospital!

Greetings from Bangkok!!!

Today we were lucky enough to be able to visit the BIDI Infectious Disease Hospital, where we were able to listen to a lecture on both HIV and TB.
The hospital was funded in 1960 and has the specialty services for HIV, TB, rabies, SARS, MERS-CoV, Ebola, as well as general services to the local community.

The hospital does a lot of work to try to provide services for prevention of these issues, such as providing free condoms and counseling to the community, as well as screening and regimens for prophylaxis (may not always be free).

The hospital has a very effective set up for TB. Patients are able to visit the TB ward and be seen by all facets of the health team in one visit, in one location. Nurses take the patients initially and screen them based off of a questionnaire. There are standing orders if the appropriate questions are answered correctly, here patients are able to get a few days supply of medication. This was they are able to begin treatment even if they are not able to see a doctor right away. Patients are also able to see doctors in the same office on select days of the week, as well as be admitted into a TB clinic if there is a need for further analysis.

The institution started to have ore strict policies for preparedness in 2003, after Dr. Urbarni was admitted as a SARS patient in 2003, when the hospital was not ready to deal with such a condition. The facility tried to create a makeshift isolation room and keep his infection under control. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2003, and it was a clear wake-up-call for the hospital. Since then, there have been drastic improvements in the policies, procedures, and preparedness of dealing with new infections. From touring the hospital, seeing how they are set up to deal with new patents and infections, and seeing their safety precautions and statistics, it is clear that their provisions and planning has payed off; they are truly and exceptional institution.


We were also lucky enough to share the night with Dean Tanzer, who was celebrating her birthday after arriving in Thailand this morning! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Learners entering the Isolation Ward

Kayla and Tiffany learning the procedure of proper garbing.

Patient room with 4 total beds for isolated patients with active TB infections. Negative pressure in the room and hallways prevent infection for the health care workers.