Bradley County Medical Center Well Prepared For Ebola

Tanya Chancellor, RN

It is not likely to happen but there is the possibility that someone will walk into Bradley County Medical Center or be transported in by ambulance and have the Ebola virus.  In the world in which we live, with easy and frequent travel throughout the world, the possibility exists.  Therefore Bradley County Medical Center must be ready and they are.

Hours of work have gone into preparation and planning to deal with the disease should it appear at the hospital.  Protective gear, training and protocols have been put in place to do what is best for the sick individual, protect those treating them and to protect others being treated in the hospital and the general public.

Salineriverchronicle.com recently visited the hospital and was given detailed information on how Ebola or a suspected case would be dealt with.  Katy Hall showed our staff how any suspected case would be handled and we were shown the suite that must be worn when dealing with anyone even considered a carrier of the virus.

All hospital personnel from nurses to office staff to those who carry out any type function in the hospital are being trained.  Anyone who reports to the hospital ER, the business office or for any kind of medical services will be asked a series of questions to try to determine if the individual is a risk.  Should a person be suspected of having the virus or having been around a person with the virus, the individual will be quarantined in a negative pressure private room.  Appropriate test will be conducted and sent for review by the Center for Disease Control.  Ambulances and ambulance personnel are also being trained and equipped.

Head of nursing, Tiffany Holland stated that training is ongoing and all procedures are being strictly followed.  She said the hospital plans to do mock training to further enhance the hospital's ability to properly deal with any case that might occur in Warren.

Bradley County Medical Center is spending a considerable sum of money to train and equip its people and facilities.  Their goal is to be ready and be successful should the need arise.  Their hope is that it never becomes necessary.