Dear O & P ers,
This was posted to the Medical Library Association List-serv. I wanted to pass it along as I thought many of you would find this information helpful if you are seeing patients from Katrina.
Best,
Molly Moore, MA
Librarian
National Limb Loss Information Center
900 East Hill Avenue, Suite 285
Knoxville, TN 37917
888-267-5669 ext. 8114
865-525-7917 - Fax
http://www.amputee-coalition.org
mmoore@amputee-coalition.org
COMING SOON! The 4th edition of ACA's award-winning publication, First Step - A Guide for Adapting to Limb Loss
-----Original Message-----
From: Jennifer Byrnes [mailto:jenniferabyrnes@YAHOO.COM]
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 9:13 AM
To: MEDLIB-L@LISTSERV.BUFFALO.EDU
Subject: Hurricane Katrina - Vibrio Vulnificus Information
Dear Colleagues,
As many of you are aware, Vibrio Vulnificus infections, including Vibrio Vulnificus septicemia has now been reported in Hurricane Katrina flood water exposed patients. Though most frequently seen in patients with pre-existing liver disease, diabetes and the immunocompromised, Vibrio Vulnificus can infect the normal host as well. Skin related infections and injury are common in flood victims. Vibrio Vulnificus infection can begin several days after exposure to flood water through skin lacerations or ingestion of contaminated water.
Vibrio Vulnificus sepsis frequently presents with skin findings.
Local infections can appear as pustular, lymphangitic, or cellulitic lesions that can be mild or rapidly progress into painful cellulitis with widespread necrosis. In primary bacteremic vibrio, tender erythematous patches and plaques quickly progress to vesicles and hemorrhagic bullae, which may result in gangrene and necrotizing fasciitis. DIC has been documented.
As a public service - more information, including clinical images can be found at http://www.visualdx.com/vibrio. Please feel free to disseminate this link to others that may be treating these flood patients.
In Mississippi there are 17 acute care hospitals which have installed VisualDx for public health preparedness. Emergency clinicians there may access the VisualDx system to evaluate rashes in flood victims. In addition to the Mississippi locations, VisualDx is also in use by the NYC Department of Health in hospitals and clinics, Delaware Department of Health in acute care hospitals, the US Army, Washington DC Department of Health hospitals and clinics and many other locations.
ANY hospital, clinic or public health location receiving or treating Katrina patients can IMMEDIATELY receive a time limited VisualDx license without fee. Please click here (support@logicalimages.com) to send a message to Logical Images with your request for VisualDx. Include your hospital contact information (Hospital name, address, phone number, contact person, title, e-mail address, and their phone number). Once this information is verified, Logical Images will provide you with the VisualDx system for your use in aiding these Katrina patients.
Please contact me if we can help your efforts in any way.
Jennifer Byrnes, MLS
Logical Images, Inc.
jbyrnes@logicalimages.com
585.273.8229
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