None of which was followed with Duncan, because he was sitting out in the emergency room with other patients for hours. Both times.
this is what bothers me. CDC should have issued posters for people to print and post that describe EBOLA symptoms and what to do to check in if presenting with them. I mean, we should have some national public service announcements instructing people who suspect exposure to Ebola to call ahead when going to the ED so people can be properly questioned ahead of time and triaged for expedited isolation and ensure workers have PPE to greet them.
We've had 3 people who have come to the US and been treated for ebola after contracting it in Africa, and 2 people actually contract it in the US. Posters on every street light wouldn't send the public into a mass panic or anything...
I mean, really, the stock market took a dip today partially because of ebola panic.
Just to follow up on what some of the other nurses have said today, I asked my mom what her hospital is doing to prepare. She is a nurse at a hospital in a medium sized town. She is not an ER nurse, but due to the type of nursing she does, is often called into the ER to help with patients. She said they have received no training, information, or instruction on ebola at all. Nada.
I guess I just have a hard time believing they would admit it even if it were true. Anything's possible I guess.
And yet they did.Â
It sounds like it was someone who checked a chart, saw that 99.5 is less than 100.4 and was like "ok, fine!" Which is  for an organization that is supposed to be on top of this shit.Â
Is there anything more concrete about the cdc's confirmation than a DFW area news anchor's personal FB page?
It sounds like it was someone who checked a chart, saw that 99.5 is less than 100.4 and was like "ok, fine!" Which is  for an organization that is supposed to be on top of this shit.Â
This is how the airport screening they've endorsed works though. So if they offered a different opinion in this case it would undermine that whole strategy. Not that I think is a worthwhile program, but I imagine they want to exhibit consistency on it.
That's a good point re: airport screening which admittedly I thought was BS in the first place.
Just to follow up on what some of the other nurses have said today, I asked my mom what her hospital is doing to prepare. She is a nurse at a hospital in a medium sized town. She is not an ER nurse, but due to the type of nursing she does, is often called into the ER to help with patients. She said they have received no training, information, or instruction on ebola at all. Nada.
This is horrible. I work for a health system, in a non-clinical role, and we are getting daily updates on preparedness. My office shares a hall with Quality and Infection Control. They have been working non-stop for the last several weeks on this. I cannot fathom a system that puts their clinicians at risk like the ones that have been mentioned here. Awful.
Just to follow up on what some of the other nurses have said today, I asked my mom what her hospital is doing to prepare. She is a nurse at a hospital in a medium sized town. She is not an ER nurse, but due to the type of nursing she does, is often called into the ER to help with patients. She said they have received no training, information, or instruction on ebola at all. Nada.
doesnt suprise me.
Hospital 1- Initially said regular contact precautions was fine (gown to knees, gloves and mask). Nurses threw a fit and they'll now provide shoe-to-knee coverings as well, gloves that go to forearm and ordered a iso-stretcher. That doesn't prevent the back of the gown being open or a head covering but it's improvement.....
Hospital 2- has only sent out the CDC flyer. They're working on the official policy but all pts will be in the ICU. The NM decided to utilize/block the room next to Infection Control office :-) . They have purchased and received full covering iso-kits. Only about 100 though (which will last all of a day).
It sounds like it was someone who checked a chart, saw that 99.5 is less than 100.4 and was like "ok, fine!" Which is for an organization that is supposed to be on top of this shit.
But did they? People are claiming they did but I am just skeptical. Not saying it isn't true, just that I am skeptical.
They did confirm it. It was in the second article I posted.
You know, there were all these people so smug and superior about how Ebola would never spread in the US because we are sanitary and have great healthcare and are so much more educated and smarter than those primitive Africans.
It sounds like it was someone who checked a chart, saw that 99.5 is less than 100.4 and was like "ok, fine!" Which is for an organization that is supposed to be on top of this shit.
This is how the airport screening they've endorsed works though. So if they offered a different opinion in this case it would undermine that whole strategy. Not that I think is a worthwhile program, but I imagine they want to exhibit consistency on it.
I believe this is called throwing good money after bad. "We need to be consistently ineffective!"
You know, there were all these people so smug and superior about how Ebola would never spread in the US because we are sanitary and have great healthcare and are so much more educated and smarter than those primitive Africans.
Well.
I am really getting angry with the CDC and our gov right now so add this all together and you have an epidemic. I mean, the gov is totes capable, right? Ugh
You know, there were all these people so smug and superior about how Ebola would never spread in the US because we are sanitary and have great healthcare and are so much more educated and smarter than those primitive Africans.
Well.
I am really getting angry with the CDC and our gov right now so add this all together and you have an epidemic. I mean, the gov is totes capable, right? Ugh
Government, non-profit hospitals, for-profit hospitals...our entire damn system is looking pretty incompetent right now.
You know, there were all these people so smug and superior about how Ebola would never spread in the US because we are sanitary and have great healthcare and are so much more educated and smarter than those primitive Africans.
Well.
I am really getting angry with the CDC and our gov right now so add this all together and you have an epidemic. I mean, the gov is totes capable, right? Ugh
this is what bothers me. CDC should have issued posters for people to print and post that describe EBOLA symptoms and what to do to check in if presenting with them. I mean, we should have some national public service announcements instructing people who suspect exposure to Ebola to call ahead when going to the ED so people can be properly questioned ahead of time and triaged for expedited isolation and ensure workers have PPE to greet them.
We've had 3 people who have come to the US and been treated for ebola after contracting it in Africa, and 2 people actually contract it in the US. Posters on every street light wouldn't send the public into a mass panic or anything...
I mean, really, the stock market took a dip today partially because of ebola panic.
But you don't have to print them and post them immediately. You hear of a case in the vicinity, or you get alerted by the CDC that enough travelers from your community have been tagged as having risk exposure and then you put them up. But they should be there and READY.
Proper control means being ready to act IMMEDIATELY.
As for Public Service Announcements - that could be a little fast for now but they also don't have to be 'RED ALERT, RED ALERT.' they could be, "ya know, chances are, this is never going to apply to you. But if it does, we want you to be prepared. If you discover that you have risk for exposure to Ebola because of traveling to/from or being in contact with someone carrying Ebola, and you present with the following symptoms, please call ahead to an ER to let them know you are coming in: explosive bloody diarrhea, projectile vomiting, especially if including blood, fever, ..."
I mean, right now, with what is going on with that woman getting on a plane, people are freaked out. Done. So you present at a hospital with bloody diarrhea and projectile vomiting, that healthcare worker is going to to freak out inside. Go ahead and call ahead that you are coming so they can be prepared to receive you, isolate you, test you, clear you and go on about everyone's business.
We've had 3 people who have come to the US and been treated for ebola after contracting it in Africa, and 2 people actually contract it in the US. Posters on every street light wouldn't send the public into a mass panic or anything...
I mean, really, the stock market took a dip today partially because of ebola panic.
But you don't have to print them and post them immediately. You hear of a case in the vicinity, or you get alerted by the CDC that enough travelers from your community have been tagged as having risk exposure and then you put them up. But they should be there and READY.
Proper control means being ready to act IMMEDIATELY.
As for Public Service Announcements - that could be a little fast for now but they also don't have to be 'RED ALERT, RED ALERT.' they could be, "ya know, chances are, this is never going to apply to you. But if it does, we want you to be prepared. If you discover that you have risk for exposure to Ebola because of traveling to/from or being in contact with someone carrying Ebola, and you present with the following symptoms, please call ahead to an ER to let them know you are coming in: explosive bloody diarrhea, projectile vomiting, especially if including blood, fever, ..."
I mean, right now, with what is going on with that woman getting on a plane, people are freaked out. Done. So you present at a hospital with bloody diarrhea and projectile vomiting, that healthcare worker is going to to freak out inside. Go ahead and call ahead that you are coming so they can be prepared to receive you, isolate you, test you, clear you and go on about everyone's business.
No, we don't need national ebola hotlines.
I can see it now...
"5 years ago my neighbors uncles cousin went to Africa, or was it Australia, well wherever they went, I now have a fever of 99.1, I think I have the ebolas."
But you don't have to print them and post them immediately. You hear of a case in the vicinity, or you get alerted by the CDC that enough travelers from your community have been tagged as having risk exposure and then you put them up. But they should be there and READY.
Proper control means being ready to act IMMEDIATELY.
As for Public Service Announcements - that could be a little fast for now but they also don't have to be 'RED ALERT, RED ALERT.' they could be, "ya know, chances are, this is never going to apply to you. But if it does, we want you to be prepared. If you discover that you have risk for exposure to Ebola because of traveling to/from or being in contact with someone carrying Ebola, and you present with the following symptoms, please call ahead to an ER to let them know you are coming in: explosive bloody diarrhea, projectile vomiting, especially if including blood, fever, ..."
I mean, right now, with what is going on with that woman getting on a plane, people are freaked out. Done. So you present at a hospital with bloody diarrhea and projectile vomiting, that healthcare worker is going to to freak out inside. Go ahead and call ahead that you are coming so they can be prepared to receive you, isolate you, test you, clear you and go on about everyone's business.
No, we don't need national ebola hotlines.
I can see it now...
"5 years ago my neighbors uncles cousin went to Africa, or was it Australia, well wherever they went, I now have a fever of 99.1, I think I have the ebolas."
LOL ok fair enough!
But I do still think posters should be drafted and ready to go in the event hospitals need to quickly print and post because Ebola pops up in their area.
2. Speaking of, perhaps we should strong-arm hospitals into giving any medical professionals who work with infected patients a paid 21 day vacation (quarantine) afterwards? And remind them not to get on any planes, perhaps?
3. My resting temp is like 96 or 97 something so if I had a 99.5 degree temp, I'd be sick. Anecdote!
Amen to #2. I was shocked that nurse thought it could be ok to go on a plane, even more shocked to learn the CDC said she could. Seems like that should be rule #1 for people who are treating Ebola patients. Don't go on planes.
My resting temp is 97.4. If I'm at 100, I'm really sick. I have to believe there are probably people with a normal temp of 100, who might be stopped from flying when they're perfectly fine. If the rule is as arbitrary as a temperature, it seems like a crapshoot to me.
You know, there were all these people so smug and superior about how Ebola would never spread in the US because we are sanitary and have great healthcare and are so much more educated and smarter than those primitive Africans.
Well.
I'll admit I'm truly shocked by the level of incompetence going on here, but we're still talking about 3 people. We can't compare this to W Africa. If we get to 10 it will be an epic failure of health care management.
Local base put military member and family in "isolation" for 21 days as a precautionary measure. He was on the flight from CLE to DAL. School district sent notification to families tonight.
My BF was supposed to take this same plane back to CLE that night. The flight was cancelled because it had been delayed and the crew needed to rest(?),so they flew out 1st thing in the morning.
You know, there were all these people so smug and superior about how Ebola would never spread in the US because we are sanitary and have great healthcare and are so much more educated and smarter than those primitive Africans.
Well.
Honestly, I think this is the problem. Everyone seems to believe this. I think there is some serious misunderstanding about what Ebola is and how it spreads. And it's lead to people being careless about how to deal with it even on a medical professional level.
Part of the problem is ignorance and casual racism. The other part imo is that a lot of the illnesses we don't see in America or other more developed nations are the kind that are alleviated by access to clean drinking water, fairly decent medical systems, etc. So I'm not really surprised that a lot of people think Ebola is similar to cholera, dysentery, etc.
But you don't have to print them and post them immediately. You hear of a case in the vicinity, or you get alerted by the CDC that enough travelers from your community have been tagged as having risk exposure and then you put them up. But they should be there and READY.
Proper control means being ready to act IMMEDIATELY.
As for Public Service Announcements - that could be a little fast for now but they also don't have to be 'RED ALERT, RED ALERT.' they could be, "ya know, chances are, this is never going to apply to you. But if it does, we want you to be prepared. If you discover that you have risk for exposure to Ebola because of traveling to/from or being in contact with someone carrying Ebola, and you present with the following symptoms, please call ahead to an ER to let them know you are coming in: explosive bloody diarrhea, projectile vomiting, especially if including blood, fever, ..."
I mean, right now, with what is going on with that woman getting on a plane, people are freaked out. Done. So you present at a hospital with bloody diarrhea and projectile vomiting, that healthcare worker is going to to freak out inside. Go ahead and call ahead that you are coming so they can be prepared to receive you, isolate you, test you, clear you and go on about everyone's business.
No, we don't need national ebola hotlines.
I can see it now...
"5 years ago my neighbors uncles cousin went to Africa, or was it Australia, well wherever they went, I now have a fever of 99.1, I think I have the ebolas."
Yah I know. Nancy Synderman was in my IL's town. I hugged my MIL yesterday. Do I has ebolaz now?
So, locally (Cleveland/Akron) they've apparently been taking this very seriously. Knowing that these people are VERY low risk but hearing about how this may have been mishandled elsewhere, they're being very cautious. I know of people on the flights that are on paid leave. A teacher that was on a flight immediately reported once he heard flight information, and the school was closed to be cleaned. Our senators have demanded Ebola readiness teams.
You know, there were all these people so smug and superior about how Ebola would never spread in the US because we are sanitary and have great healthcare and are so much more educated and smarter than those primitive Africans.
Well.
Honestly, I think this is the problem. Everyone seems to believe this. I think there is some serious misunderstanding about what Ebola is and how it spreads. And it's lead to people being careless about how to deal with it even on a medical professional level.
Part of the problem is ignorance and casual racism. The other part imo is that a lot of the illnesses we don't see in America or other more developed nations are the kind that are alleviated by access to clean drinking water, fairly decent medical systems, etc. So I'm not really surprised that a lot of people think Ebola is similar to cholera, dysentery, etc.
I wasn't originally worried about Ebola spreading in the US because apparently I was extremely naive about what kind of equipment nurses/hospitals had access to. I mean between movies (yeah I know, not reliable) and the pictures from the handling of the patients flown in that were already sick...I guess I just assumed nurses/doctors would be wearing hazmat suits and that they would be going through a decontamination spray when leaving the room. It never occured to me that we wouldn't have the necessary protective equipment available.
I mean at this rate medical professionals would be better off if they followed that one woman who treated her entire family while wrapping herself in trash bags/gloves.
Honestly, I think this is the problem. Everyone seems to believe this. I think there is some serious misunderstanding about what Ebola is and how it spreads. And it's lead to people being careless about how to deal with it even on a medical professional level.
Part of the problem is ignorance and casual racism. The other part imo is that a lot of the illnesses we don't see in America or other more developed nations are the kind that are alleviated by access to clean drinking water, fairly decent medical systems, etc. So I'm not really surprised that a lot of people think Ebola is similar to cholera, dysentery, etc.
I feel like there is more to it than that though. My small town hospital took the initiative to get in touch with both Emery and Nebraska weeks before Duncan set foot in America. We were planning and making sure our nurses would be prepared. What is the difference? Why was my hospital so on top of he game when others still are doing nothing? Perception for sure plays a part but what about negligence? Can perception really be the only reason other hospitals have not reacted? Willful ignorance? Apathy?
For better or worse I think it is easier for little hospitals to prepare for this. Large hospitals have so many levels and honestly bureaucracy that it slows the process. The large hospital I work at just released their guidelines this morning. Now keep in mind I am not a nurse so maybe this information was given to them sooner.
For better or worse I think it is easier for little hospitals to prepare for this. Large hospitals have so many levels and honestly bureaucracy that it slows the process. The large hospital I work at just released their guidelines this morning. Now keep in mind I am not a nurse so maybe this information was given to them sooner.
Nope.
No this doesn't happen? I think we are seeing right now that bureaucracy can get in the way.
Maybe more than a one word answer would be helpful.
Also maybe we already talked about this but I am amazed that his family was able to stay symptom free. I wonder did he isolate himself? Did they not use the same toilet as him? I am glad they seem to still be fine, but I am also sort of amazed.
Or maybe they will figure out what the nurses did procedure wise that made them more in danger of becoming infected. Well you know besides not wearing the proper gear. I think I read that the nurses were aspirating him and inserting catheters.