Connie Falk, RN; Rick Rogers, RN, and Nurse Educator Gina Enderlin, RN, take a moment in the emergency room to review Hill Country Memorial’s Ebola preparedness information for staff and patients. — Submitted photo
By Lindsey Bertrand —
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Sept. 30 confirmed the first case of Ebola to be diagnosed in the United States in a person who had traveled to Dallas from Liberia.
“Although the risk of an Ebola outbreak in the United States is very low, it is important for Hill Country Memorial to remain vigilant and be as prepared as possible to protect our communities,” said Kelly DiCuffa, Hill Country Memorial Public Information Officer.
Ebola is a virus that is spread through direct contact with the blood or body fluids, including but not limited to saliva, sweat, feces and vomit, of an infected person. A person must come into contact with the virus directly through an open cut, broken skin or mucous membranes like the nose or mouth.
Ebola is not spread through the air, water or food. There is no evidence that mosquitoes or other insects can transmit Ebola. Only mammals have shown the ability to become infected with and spread the disease.
Out of an abundance of caution, HCM has been monitoring the Ebola situation for the past several weeks.
The hospital has an emergency preparedness plan, and one part of that plan concerns Ebola preparedness. As such, HCM has reviewed all policies and information related to Ebola preparedness and is sharing the following with the community.
“HCM has adopted a ‘detect-protect-respond’ protocol, as recommended by the CDC, to screen patients upon their admission to the hospital,” said Mike Reno, HCM Chief Operating Officer.
The “detect” component instructs that all patients will be screened at the time of admission for the following:
• Foreign travel within the last 21 days or contact with anyone who has traveled internationally.
And,
• Any of the following symptoms:
• Fever greater than 38.6°C or 101.5°F;
• Severe headache;
• Muscle pain;
• Weakness;
• Diarrhea;
• Vomiting;
• Stomach pain; or,
• Unexplained bleeding or bruising.
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