Are our healthcare workers not being careful enough when treating potential Ebola patients?

2014-10-15T14:21:21-04:00

Recently a second healthcare worker in the Dallas hosptial that treated the first American Ebola patient (Thomas Duncan) was diagnosed with Ebola. Do we need to have our healthcare workers re-trained on simple, common-sense methods of protecting themselves and others they come in contact with.

I know as a Red Cross trainer for First Aid, CPR, etc., one of the first lessons we went over was the proper method to put on and take off protective gloves. Invariably, every nurse, nurse assistant and doctor - to include emergency room doctors all failed to demonstate how to safely and properly take off the gloves. Even the nurse assistant that is being treated in Spain has apparently admitted to having touched her own face with the gloves after dealing with a patient with Ebola.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Oct 15 at 2014 2:28 PM

2014-10-15T14:28:51-04:00

You would think some re-training would be in order. One thing I remember from NBC training, as well as Combat Lifesaver, and I am also a first aid/cpr/BBP/AED trainer is the emphasis on post-care infection (needle sticks, fluid contact, DECON procedures, etc.) I can't help but think that perhaps proper attention is not being given to these.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Oct 15 at 2014 3:24 PM

2014-10-15T15:24:34-04:00

Obviously not, based on the current situation. Nice to know that the CDC will now 'send a team' whenever an active case is diagnosed though, I have TONS of faith in the Federal Government.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2014 8:59 PM

2014-10-15T20:59:40-04:00

Well clearly this guy isn't being safe enough....

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2014 9:40 PM

2014-10-15T21:40:43-04:00

One of the big problems is the Center for Disease Confusion. Dr. Tom Frieden should be gone already.

Response by HN Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2014 9:02 AM

2014-10-16T09:02:41-04:00

I agree. Im Currently a Corpsman in norfolk and everytime i come in contact with a patient its called PPE. (Personal protective Equipment). I'm Fairly sure that that was drilled into our heads from the very beggining of my medical training. NOT ONLY THAT, But isnt it also stated that you assume the worst and belive what the patient has to say and rule out what they say is wrong before automatically saying no you don't have ..... I mean come on, if a patient says she feels sick and she was around someone with Ebola...BAM Immediately into Seclusion away from everyone else and if you came into contact you go into seclusion too until ebola is fully ruled out. Thats the Guideline at the clinic i work at currently. People say this wont turn into a epidemic...yes it will if people will stop being so stupid. Yes there are worse diseases out there but ebola is stilll bad enough to cause millions of death. This needs to get handled now...and soon!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2014 10:22 AM

2014-10-16T10:22:38-04:00

I think this ebola threat is more serious than what is being told to us by the CDC. Why is the reponse to this threat so lackidasical by the President. This administration needs to ban incoming flights from Ebola affected countries, stand up treatment centers for ebola patients, and properly adress the nation on the reality of this threat.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2014 10:45 AM

2014-10-16T10:45:15-04:00

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member, I've been wondering about this question, so thanks for sharing your experiences. I was thinking that Ebola may be more contagious (easier to transmit) than we're being told, but operator error could explain it as well.

There was a flap when the Director of the CDC intimated that the first Dallas nurse might not have properly followed the protocols -- blaming the victim, how dare he? He then apologized.

However, if it is a case of the healthcare workers not being careful enough, they should say that - for the sake of future healthcare workers who come into contact with Ebola patients and for the public's sake as well.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Oct 16 at 2014 12:00 PM

2014-10-16T12:00:01-04:00

Not no but hell no. Communicable disease is one thing, organ eating virus is another. When do hospitals train for this event - never? What proper equipment do they have on hand? WHY are we sending patients to multiple treatment facilities when they should hunker down at one and avoid the stupidity that is going on??? Oh, yeah its a government run operation. Brought to you by the same people who bothched Katrina

Response by CPL Tim Schar made Oct 20 at 2014 12:01 AM

2014-10-20T00:01:41-04:00

no not at all IMHO