Ebola preparedness in Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE – The Hospital Association of Rhode Island, the Department of Health, Lifespan, the Rhode Island Medical Society, the Rhode Island State Nurses Association, and the Rhode Island Academy of Physician Assistants have released a statement updating the public on Ebola preparedness in Rhode Island.

According to the statement, statewide preparedness efforts related to Ebola began several months ago, and have included training and preparation on the part of representatives of government, hospitals, nurses, physicians, physician assistants, EMS providers, infection control professionals, emergency preparedness coordinators and other health care providers.

Health care organizations across the state are on high alert to watch for potential Ebola cases and have plans in place to take immediate action to isolate any individual testing positive for the virus and implement full precautions to protect staff and the community, according to the statement.

The statement also indicated that all Rhode Island hospitals have reviewed appropriate policies and protocols; identified areas to be used for patient isolation; inventoried supplies including personal protective equipment for employees; and provided training and best practices to staff on patient identification, isolation, infection prevention and use of protective equipment.

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The statement indicated that preparedness planning was ongoing, with hospitals agreeing to participate in “stress testing” led by the R.I. Department of Health. The tests, which will include mock patients seeking emergency department treatment, will allow hospitals to better identify potential gaps, according to the statement.

The statement concluded that people should remember that the Ebola situation is fluid and rapidly changing and that preparations will require adjustments as more is learned about the best ways to treat Ebola patients and protect health care workers.

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