Sidney Regional Medical Center puts Ebola virus plan in place

It was just a couple of months ago when the World Health Organization declared Ebola as a “public health emergency of international concern.”

Since that day in early August, here have been many stories, rumors and theories about the contamination, transmission and outbreaks regarding the virus. Ebola is a frightening virus that has the potential for massive harm and death.

At Sidney Regional Medical Center, efforts are well underway to ensure proper provisions are in place if there is a patient admitted with the suspect of Ebola. SRMC is focused on providing education to help clarify all of the speculative information being presented by the national media in order to make sure each patient, resident, staff and member of the community are aware of the symptoms of Ebola and what to do if you or someone you have been in contact with has traveled to west Africa.

“The Ebola virus is spread through direct contact with the blood and body fluids (including but not limited to feces, saliva, sweat, urine, vomit and semen) of a person sick with Ebola,” said Julie Slagle, vice president of patient care services at SRMC “The virus in blood and body fluids can enter another person’s body through broken skin or unprotected mucous membranes in the eyes, nose or mouth. This virus can also be spread through contact with objects, such as needles and syringes that have been contaminated with the virus or with infected animals.

“At this time, there is no evidence to suspect that Ebola is spread through the air or by water,” Slagle said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms of Ebola include:

• Fever (greater than 38.6°C or 101.5°F)

• Severe headache

• Muscle pain

• Weakness

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Abdominal (stomach) pain

• Unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding or bruising)

Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola, but the average is 8 to 10 days. Recovery from Ebola depends on good supportive clinical care and the patient’s immune response. People who recover from Ebola infection develop antibodies that last for at least 10 years.

There is no cure for Ebola that can kill the virus. However, research scientists are working on a new vaccine that may prevent infection, or at least the hemorrhagic fever. A person will not feel sick for several days to a few weeks after being infected with the Ebola virus.

For people who fear that they have Ebola, there are several steps they can take.

First, for residents of the panhandle and surrounding areas of Cheyenne County, call the SRMC Physicians Clinic at (308) 254-5544 as soon as you believe you may have contracted Ebola. Early assessment and containment are vital.

Don’t come to the hospital until you have talked with a nurse. Admission and scheduling staff will make an initial assessment of your symptoms to determine if there is a concern for Ebola. The CDC encourages all U.S. health care providers to ask patients with Ebola-like symptoms about their travels histories to determine if they have traveled to West Africa within the last three weeks.

If your assessment shows signs of Ebola, individuals should go directly to the Emergency Department. The ER staff will use the decontamination room as a stabilizing room, and wait for transportation to the sister health system at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) that is currently caring for two Ebola patients.

“The possibility of someone from our area getting Ebola is very real,” said SRMC’s CEO Jason Petik. “Many of our family, friends or neighbors have traveled to Africa. They also travel abroad for business.

“As we are dedicated to serving the needs of our patients and community, we are currently taking every possible precaution to prevent the virus from spreading and infecting others,” he added. “Our clinical team has put a preparedness plan into place to support the CDC guidelines for Ebola containment.”

The staff at SRMC have taken the following steps in preparing to deal with Ebola:

• Established a decontaminate room in the ER

• Specific personal protective equipment (PPE) available

• Continued education

• Community Ebola education

• Signage to control entry for all entries and campuses

As flu season approaches, the importance of covering your cough and using thorough hand hygiene is vital to preventing further spreading of any virus. Another important tip for prevention is to not travel to areas where the virus is found.

The CDC recommends hospital-grade disinfectants, such as household bleach, be used to clean inanimate objects and surfaces. This virus can survive for several days at room temperature. Healthcare workers can prevent infection by wearing masks, gloves, and goggles whenever they come into contact with people who may have a virus.

If you would like more information regarding Ebola, please use the following resources:

http://www.cdc.gov, http://www.who.int or http://www.sidneyrmc.com

For more specific concerns or questions, contact the SRMC Physicians Clinic at (308) 254-5544.