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In the ER all patients must be PROPERLY SCREENED and triaged (catagorized) before entering an area where others are. The Triage Nurse has her/his proper protective gear on. This is standard procedure.

Maybe in textbooks but not in practice. Unfortunately, I have had to take a relative to the emergency room several times since SARS hit the scene and there was NO ONE in "proper protective gear" anywhere to be seen.

Intake clerks, various medical personnel AND the "Triage Nurse"..., all without even a simple mask!

Obviously, since only one suspected local SARS case has even been noted in the area (Central Florida), the precautions seem to be considered unnecessary.

I suspect that very few emergency rooms around the USA are observing the protocols you describe and will only do so AFTER experiencing a major SARS outbreak!

I am certain that it has been determined not to be "cost effective" to do so (for now)!

I suspect that very few emergency rooms around the USA are observing the protocols you describe and will only do so AFTER experiencing a major SARS outbreak!

I can assure you our emergency rooms are using the protocol I have mentioned. We do not have an epidemic here, but this protocol is in place.

Intake clerks, various medical personnel AND the "Triage Nurse"..., all without even a simple mask!

Obviously, since only one suspected local SARS case has even been noted in the area (Central Florida), the precautions seem to be considered unnecessary.

Obviously. There is no epidemic but the protocol is "in place."