While media coverage of Ebola virus has dominated the world news in recent weeks, government officials say the risk for hospitals in the United States remains very low. However recent isolated cases in Texas and New York remind us why it’s important for hospitals to continuously prepare for the unlikely event that Ebola appears locally.
Kettering Health Network has ramped up Ebola Preparedness efforts by activating an Ebola Preparedness team including nurses, physicians, administrators, infection control specialists, and representatives from other areas including supply chain and environmental services.
This team has led a robust effort to examine protocols and procedures for diagnosing and caring for Ebola patients using guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, and several other regulatory agencies. They are also working with the Greater Dayton Hospital Association on regional preparedness plans.
“Kettering Health Network is prepared to handle any potential Ebola patient,” says Catherine Bacheller, MD, medical director for Infectious Disease Control.
Dr. Bacheller says that any potential Ebola cases would trigger a Code Orange. “During a Code Orange,” she explains, “a dedicated healthcare response team is activated to identify, contain, and protect our patients and our healthcare workers in the facility.”
At the center of this readiness, is a commitment to educate employees across the network about what Ebola is and how the network remains prepared. In October, employee updates meetings on Ebola were held on every hospital campus. Hospital administrators and infection control specialists covered the ins and outs of the virus, demonstrated proper Personal Protective Equipment, and fielded employee questions.
The team leaders want to thank network employees for their responsiveness during the last several weeks. Video recordings of the Employee Update sessions on Ebola and a Personal Protective Equipment demo are available on the Ebola Preparedness intranet page.