Risk Assessment Plan: MERS Outbreak Prevention in Saudi Healthcare

This report details a risk assessment plan designed to prevent Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreaks among healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia. It identifies the vulnerability of healthcare professionals to MERS-CoV and highlights the high mortality rates associated with the disease. The plan outlines the purpose, which is to identify potential causes of MERS, suggest intervention steps, and establish monitoring and evaluation protocols. The report emphasizes the role of the Saudi Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs and the importance of awareness programs, safety protocols, and workplace conditions. It discusses the goals and objectives, including evaluating hazards, implementing training programs, and establishing safety protocols. The scope of the plan involves evaluating infrastructure, analyzing statistical data, and assessing hygiene and safety measures. The report also emphasizes the need for environmental, engineering, and administrative controls, along with the importance of early detection and isolation of MERS cases, while also highlighting the significance of media coverage and training programs in monitoring the effectiveness of the plan.

Running head: RISK ASSESSMENT PLAN
Risk Assessment
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1
RISK ASSESSMENT PLAN
Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Statement of purpose.......................................................................................................................2
Authority and responsibility for implementation............................................................................2
Goals and objectives........................................................................................................................4
Scope and functions.........................................................................................................................5
Monitoring and quality evaluation of program Requirements........................................................5
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................7
Reference.........................................................................................................................................8

2
RISK ASSESSMENT PLAN
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to prepare a risk assessment plan that aims to prevent the
outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) within the Healthcare worker of hospital
of the ministry of National Guard in Saudi Arabia. The maximum cases of Middle East
respiratory syndrome has been recorded in Health Care Centers all across Saudi Arabia, which
has mortality rate of more than 50% (Abolfotouh et al., 2017). The Healthcare workers are
believed to be at the most vulnerable position to acquire the MERS Corona virus, which is
responsible for causing this deadly disease. In this context, the report will highlight upon the
necessary steps that can be taken by Health Care Centers in Saudi Arabia in order to minimize
the chance of spreading this disease within the Healthcare workers.
Statement of purpose
The purpose of this risk assessment plan is to identify all the potential causes that are
responsible for the outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome among the Healthcare workers
all across Saudi Arabia. The report will also suggest necessary intervention steps that can be
implemented ensure maximum possible safety for the Healthcare workers and minimize the
chance of spreading the Deadly disease. Proper monitoring and evaluation step is also one of the
major purposes of the risk assessment plan.
Authority and responsibility for implementation
The Saudi Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs is one of the major health care
governing bodies of the nation, who has the responsibility of providing high level of health and
safety protocols. According to the report of Abolfotouh et al., (2017) nearly 80% of all the
reported cases of MERS have been within the healthcare workers in the Saudi Arab. The virus

3
RISK ASSESSMENT PLAN
that is responsible for this respiratory syndrome was first discovered in Jeddah region of Saudi
Arabia in the year 2012. From the report of World Health Organization, it is clear that between
the year 2012 and 2017, more than 2000 laboratory reports have confirmed about occurrence of
Middle East respiratory syndrome virus. 27 nations of the Middle East region are the main
victims of the disease ("Frequently asked questions on Middle East respiratory syndrome
coronavirus (MERS‐CoV)", 2017). More than 190 cases of MERS have been reported from the
Health Care Centers of Saudi Arabia since December 2016. 58 of all the patient suffering from
the disease I'm tired within this time. 74% of the total victims of the disease are men with an
average age of 54 years. Nearly 30% of the patient is reported to have is regular symptom, most
of which are difficult to identify. 40% of the patient is reported to have display mild symptoms
at the initial stage ("Frequently asked questions on Middle East respiratory syndrome
coronavirus (MERS‐CoV)", 2017).
The major symptom that is associated during the initial part of the disease includes
chronic renal failure, heart disease, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. There also has been case
of miscarriages for pregnant woman who has been suffering from this disease (Assiri et al.,
2013).It is important for the authorities of the World Health Organization to provide detailed
statistical report of the cases related to MERS. The Saudi Ministry of National Guard Health
Affairs Need to conduct detailed analysis of the statistical report, which will help them to enforce
the intervention for the MERS. It is also the duty of the hospital authorities to provide prior
importance to raising the level of awareness of the employees. Hospitals of the Ministry of
National Guard in Saudi Arabia are at the Central decision making system of implementing
major health policies. The Healthcare ministry needs to properly evaluate the condition of safety
protocols that are implemented in each of the healthcare department. At the initial stage of the

4
RISK ASSESSMENT PLAN
risk assessment plan, it is essential to analyze the Workplace condition of the Healthcare
workers, which is responsible for the spread of the deadly infectious breathing disease.
At the initial level, it is the responsibility of the care workers to ensure maximum
possible safety in the Intensive Care Unit, where there is high risk of spreading of MERS. It is
the responsibility of the hospital staffs to get the proper authority on implementing Intensive
Care plan to minimize the risk of spreading out the contagious disease.
Goals and objectives
According to Banik et al., (2015), it is it not possible to identify the exact cause of spread
of Middle East respiratory syndrome disease. Close contact with the affected patient is believed
to be the main source of virus being spread among individuals. Poor hygienic condition in the
Healthcare facility Saudi Arabia is one of the major causes of disease being spread among the
patients and the health care workers. The major goal of the health care risk assessment plan is to
identify the causes of MERS, which is necessary in implementing the necessary intervention
plan.
It is also essential to raise the level of awareness among the stakeholders of Healthcare
Unit in Saudi Arabia, which can be implemented by imposing the risk assessment techniques and
relevant tools. Following are the main objectives of this risk assessment plan:
 Evaluation of the hazards that is associated with the spreading of MERS.
 Implement education and awareness training programs for the Healthcare staffs of care
unit in Saudi Arabia.
 Implement definite safety protocol within the Healthcare Unit, which will ensure
maximum possible safety and avoid the causes of Middle East respiratory syndrome.

5
RISK ASSESSMENT PLAN
Scope and functions
According to Guery et al., (2013), the major scope and function of the risk assessment
plan is mainly intended for estimation of potential risks that are associated with every hazardous
situation. The scope of the risk assessment plan will include proper evaluation of the
infrastructure that exists within the Healthcare facility of Saudi Arabia.
It is important for the Healthcare workers and healthcare department of Saudi Arabia to
work in collaboration and analyze the functions that are associated with that of the risk
management plan. The major scope of the risk assessment plan is to analyze all the statistical
information related to the cases of MERS and relevant past records. The major scope of the
assessment plan is to evaluate the existing plan of hygiene and safety maintenance in the critical
healthcare units of hospitals in the healthcare centers.
Monitoring and quality evaluation of program Requirements
Memish et al., (2013), have mentioned about the importance of implementing the plan for
preventing respiratory infections pathogens. This can be implemented by protocols of
environmental and engineering control along with health administrative control of the workplace
for Healthcare workers. The major element of the risk assessment plant includes, practice for
safe workplace and personal protective environment.
It is important to measure the element that enhances the early detection that prompts to
isolate the patient, who is detected with MERS-Cove. This is a critical process in ensuring

6
RISK ASSESSMENT PLAN
maximum safety to the Health Care workers. The extent to which the safety protocols will be
successful is entirely dependent upon the quality of organizational leadership and presence of
clear administrative health policy (Nishiura et al., 2015). The protocol for implementing safety
environment is dependent upon the infrastructure of the health care organization.
The purpose of the risk assessment plan is to target safety protocol for the Healthcare
workers who will be in direct contact with patient suffering from respiratory borne diseases. It is
important to mention that currently there is no vaccine been discovered for Middle East
respiratory syndrome and there is also a lack of particular treatment procedures. The main
intervention strategies for this disease include symptoms specific treatment, which varies
depending upon individual patient condition. The major risk of this disease is due to the fact that
in spite of high level of protection those are being taken by Healthcare workers, it is completely
not possible to completely neutralize the risk of infectious disease being spread.
The research paper of Abolfotouh et al., (2017), have highlighted up on the importance of
media coverage that can help to raise the awareness level above the occurrence of MRES among
the population of Saudi Arabia. There is an increase tendency of negative attitudes for
maintaining safety protocol within the Healthcare Unit, which is one of the major causes of high
risk factor associated with MERS. Hence, it can be said that media coverage is one of the
essential quality evaluation tool that can help to monitor the actual scenario related today
intervention steps that are implemented.
It is also essential to monitor the awareness and training program that are provided to
Healthcare workers in Saudi Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs. This will ensure that all
the Health Care workers are properly trained while dealing with patient of respiratory borne

7
RISK ASSESSMENT PLAN
infectious disease. They also need to play a significant role in maintaining hygienic environment
within the Health Care Unit.
Conclusion
In the concluding note it can be said that Middle East respiratory syndrome is one of the
deadly infectious disease that are caused due to lack of hygienic protocol Health Care units of
Saudi Arabia. The major aim of the risk assessment plan is to identify all the causes that are
responsible for increase number of patient in the respiratory diseases.
Proper monitoring system also need to be implemented by the healthcare department of
Saudi Arabia, which will ensure that all the safety protocols are being maintained within the
hospital to provide maximum protection for the Healthcare workers, who are at the risk of
catching up with the infectious disease.

8
RISK ASSESSMENT PLAN
Reference
Abolfotouh, M. A., AlQarni, A. A., Al-Ghamdi, S. M., Salam, M., Al-Assiri, M. H., & Balkhy,
H. H. (2017). An assessment of the level of concern among hospital-based health-care
workers regarding MERS outbreaks in Saudi Arabia. BMC infectious diseases, 17(1), 4.
Assiri, A., McGeer, A., Perl, T. M., Price, C. S., Al Rabeeah, A. A., Cummings, D. A., ... &
Madani, H. (2013). Hospital outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus.
N Engl J Med, 2013(369), 407-416.
Banik, G. R., Khandaker, G., & Rashid, H. (2015). Middle East respiratory syndrome
coronavirus “MERS-CoV”: current knowledge gaps. Paediatric respiratory reviews,
16(3), 197-202.
Frequently asked questions on Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV).
(2017). World Health Organization. Retrieved 13 October 2017, from
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/coronavirus_infections/faq/en/
Guery, B., Poissy, J., el Mansouf, L., Séjourné, C., Ettahar, N., Lemaire, X., ... & Caro, V.
(2013). Clinical features and viral diagnosis of two cases of infection with Middle East
Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus: a report of nosocomial transmission. The Lancet,
381(9885), 2265-2272.
Memish, Z. A., Zumla, A., & Al-Tawfiq, J. A. (2013). How great is the risk of Middle East
respiratory syndrome coronavirus to the global population?.

9
RISK ASSESSMENT PLAN
Nishiura, H., Miyamatsu, Y., Chowell, G., & Saitoh, M. (2015). Assessing the risk of observing
multiple generations of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) cases given an
imported case. Euro Surveill, 20(27), 6-11.