From MERS to monkeypox: How RTLS is changing the way we respond to contagious outbreaks

Emerging on the heels of Covid-19, monkeypox has rapidly captured the world’s attention as the new viral phenomenon. While originally detected in research monkeys, the first recorded human case of monkeypox occurred in 1970. Since then, the virus has been relatively confined to central and western Africa and has only recently made international headlines as a globally-spreading disease.

With over 370 cases reported worldwide within the last few weeks, the U.S. has started taking precautions against its continued spread. After treating the first known U.S. case, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) has begun vaccinating staff members who were in close contact with the patient. As the virus is rarely seen outside of Africa, this is the first time the monkeypox vaccine has been issued within the U.S. outside of clinical trials.

As the hospital is only targeting those who have been exposed to the patient, contact tracing is extremely important in slowing the spread early on. Of the roughly 200 people thought to have been in close contact with the patient, the majority are healthcare workers who could unknowingly carry the virus to other patients under their care.

While the first U.S. monkeypox case occurred in Massachusetts, the virus has since been detected in Florida, Utah, Washington, California, Virginia and New York. As a result, hospitals in these states will inevitably follow suit in enacting anti-viral protocol within their facilities.

As with Covid-19, contact tracing has become a crucial method to detect and prevent the spread of monkeypox. Rauland Responder® communications solutions have been instrumental in securing healthcare facilities throughout Covid-19 and other contagious outbreaks, including the first U.S. case of MERS in 2014.

With its close proximity to the Chicago O’Hare airport, Community Hospital in Munster, Indiana sees a steady stream of patients from all over the world. In 2014, the hospital unexpectedly became the first to isolate a case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Thanks to its state-of-the-art Rauland Responder® system, Community Hospital was able to quickly isolate the patient and identify those who may have been exposed.

As Community Hospital’s Rauland distributor, Communication Company was able to assist during this crisis, providing round-the-clock support to hospital staff working to contain the MERS exposure. The hospital’s Responder® communications solution, with phone and RTLS integrations, could immediately identify who had come in contact with the patient, where and for how long—giving the hospital and the CDC ‘unprecedented’ data on who should be tested, the exposure times, and who should be quarantined.

Nearly eight years later, Rauland Reponder® RTLS continues to support healthcare facilities in containing the spread of potentially fatal illnesses. By providing real-time location data, hospitals are able to improve staff response times and provide a more seamless communication system throughout their facilities. In turn, both patient and staff satisfaction improves, HCAHPS benchmarks are achieved and countless lives are saved.

As with MERS and Covid-19, Rauland Responder® RTLS is a critical healthcare solution that can control the spread of the latest monkeypox outbreak and help prevent a new global pandemic.

For more information on how Rauland Responder® RTLS can benefit your healthcare facility. Contact us.