Nurses sprang into action after seeing a possible case of Ebola.
Wesley Medical Center treated a patient who was rumored to have symptoms, but that man was cleared of having the virus.
Nurse and director of Infectious Disease Prevention, Joann Paul, said staff is prepared to handle anything. In recent weeks, they’ve reviewed policies on Ebola patients and treatment.
Paul said the moment a person walks in, staff members ask a series of questions, including some to factor possible Ebola exposure. Unlike influenza, Paul said it can only spread at one point.
“Ebola is only contagious after someone starts showing symptoms,” she said.
In the meantime, Paul said the patient would wear a face mask and go to an isolation room to limit possible exposure. Nurses have access to infectious disease kits as well.
“We would get these out,” she said pulling out the plastic kit. “They’re immediately available. In them, we have typical products: face shields, goggles, thick gloves.”
Though nearly 4,000 people have died from Ebola in West Africa, Paul said Americans have little reason to worry. Though one man has recently died after being diagnosed, she said the odds of an epidemic are limited because of the sophisticated health care system in the U.S.
“We know who they are, where they are and who their contacts are, which is why we will be able… the whole situation in Dallas, the United States has a very robust community health environment,” she said. “We can track those people and deal with them immediately.”