Guidance for Managing Measles Outbreaks in Emergency Departments

The latest issue of the Journal of Emergency Nursing, published in September, offers crucial guidance to emergency nurses and EMTs on managing measles outbreaks in the emergency department. With the U.S. experiencing its highest number of measles cases since the 1990s, the timely release addresses a critical public health issue.

According to Anna Valdez, PhD, RN, PHN, CEN, CFRN, FAEN, FAADN, FADELN, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Emergency Nursing, the article, titled "Measles Frontline Defense: The Pivotal Role of Emergency Nurses and Emergency Medical Services Personnel," provides essential triage, screening, and airborne isolation strategies. Valdez highlighted that emergency nurses may encounter measles patients for the first time in their careers, underscoring the importance of this guidance.

"The United States is witnessing a rise in vaccine-preventable illnesses, with measles being a significant concern," Valdez noted. "This article offers critical information on how to screen, assess, and manage measles patients in the emergency setting."

The U.S. reported its highest number of measles cases in 2025 since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000. The resurgence of the disease, despite the availability of a vaccine, underscores the need for robust emergency preparedness. Measles remains one of the leading causes of vaccine-preventable deaths globally, making the guidance provided by the Journal of Emergency Nursing even more vital.

The September issue of the Journal of Emergency Nursing also features other relevant articles: - "Ebola in the Emergency Department: Returning to the Fundamentals," which revisits key principles for managing patients with Ebola. - "Improving Documentation for Boarded Patients: A Quality Improvement Initiative in a Single Emergency Department," focusing on enhancing patient care through better documentation practices. - "Pictorial vs. Standard Discharge Instructions for Burn Care After Discharge from the Emergency Department: A Pilot Randomized Trial and an Updated Systematic Review," evaluating the effectiveness of different methods of providing discharge instructions.

Published six times a year by the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA), the Journal of Emergency Nursing serves as a platform for original research and updates in emergency nursing, covering both practice and professional issues. ENA, founded in 1970, is a leading professional nursing association that advocates for patient safety, develops industry-leading practice standards, and guides emergency health care public policy.

In a significant move, ENA and Elsevier, the long-time publisher of the Journal of Emergency Nursing, will transition the publication to a fully digital format in January 2027. This change aims to expand the reach and variety of impactful articles published by the journal.

The Emergency Nurses Association, with 40,000 members worldwide, continues to be a pivotal force in emergency nursing, providing resources and support to professionals in the field.