Posted on 10/26/2014 6:33:57 PM PDT by null and void
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The patient at Methodist University Hospital that is being tested for Ebola is in isolation and is in stable condition, resting comfortably.
Officials tell us the isolated area is separate from the main hospital on Methodist University Hospital Campus.
A Methodist spokesperson also tells us the lab work to be tested has been sent and are waiting on results.
Memphis City Mayor A C Wharton released the following statement regarding the situation:
I have been briefed by officials of the Shelby County Health Department, the lead agency. I am pleased to hear that out of an abundance of caution appropriate steps have been taken to deal with this situation in a way that provides the best medical care for the patient, and that protects public health and safety. The first responders at Methodist are using universally accepted practices and coordinating efforts with local and state public health and safety officials, as well as federal officials if circumstances dictate. I am in contact with Police Dir. Armstrong and Fire Services Dir. Benson and the City stands ready to assist in any way we may be needed.
Methodist University Hospital released the following statement Sunday afternoon regarding the patient and the effectiveness of Methodist University employees:
Our experts have an alternate primary diagnosis that has been established, but in an abundance of caution, the team is still strictly following Ebola protocols to protect all caregivers and others. We are waiting for a definitive Ebola test result which we expect to receive this evening. We will report more as we learn more. Memphians can be proud of the expertise and teamwork that all have demonstrated, including local and state health departments and emergency medical personnel with whom we have collaborated. Our collective planning and training have prepared the team well.
So far the hospital is not giving any details on the patient possibly being treated for Ebola in Memphis.
Methodist officials confirmed Sunday morning that a patient was being tested for Ebola, whose symptoms do not meet all of the qualifications for Ebola.
Methodist University Hospital released the following statement Sunday morning:
This patient did not fit all of the screening guidelines, however we wanted to take an abundance of caution and have decided to place this patient in a special isolation room until we receive results from blood work that will tell us whether or not this patient has Ebola. Our associates have been undergoing extensive training and drilling, and we are well prepared to safely care for this patient.
A hospital visitor spoke with WREG’s Elise Preston and told her that hearing about a patient with possible Ebola was uncomfortable. That visitor has left Methodist South and took their sick family member with them. Other visitors have decided to stay in the Methodist South facility regardless of possible Ebola.
Earlier this week leaders met to discuss what they would do if Ebola came to Memphis.
The Chief Health Officer for the Shelby County Health Department, Dr. Hellen Morrow told WREG “The minimum requirement would be a private room for a patient with its private bath. It does not need or be a negative pressure room.”
Area hospitals have been training nursing staff and running drills.
New CDC regulations require every inch of skin to be covered with protective gear and every hospital to have an isolation area setup.
If someone is suspected of having Ebola, the county said they would be taken to whatever facility is closest.
However, there is no across-the-board plan for ambulances yet. Officials said they’re still looking at and considering different protocols.
Stay tuned to WREG for the latest on this story.
uh huh...
Post to me or FReep mail to be on/off the Bring Out Your Dead ping list.
The purpose of the “Bring Out Your Dead” ping list (formerly the “Ebola” ping list) is very early warning of emerging pandemics, as such it has a high false positive rate.
So far the false positive rate is 100%.
At some point we may well have a high mortality pandemic, and likely as not the “Bring Out Your Dead” threads will miss the beginning entirely.
*sigh* Such is life, and death...
Still no indication that the patient had either recently traveled to Africa or cared for someone with an Ebola infection.
If they actually have Ebola, this could be about to get really bad - transmitted by casual contact or touching of infected surfaces.
I’ve visited a relative who had a private room at Meth Central. Very nice I thought.
If they’re responsible they’ll have to close off that floor and prevent the staff who treats the suspected ebola patient from treating other patients.
Earlier this week leaders met to discuss what they would do if Ebola came to Memphis.
______________________________________
apparently one is to offer the comfy chair and tea...
Latest test result was negative for Ebola.
out of an abundance of caution
Anyone else sick and tired of hearing that? Needs a drinking game.
About an hour ago the Commercial Appeal reported that the test was negative.
How amny of these patients are in Christian/Catholic hospitals?
“many”
Any indication whether that was the “first-approximation field test” or the “definitive test”?
Has Obama kissed him yet?
Yup. I have so much confidence in the CDC recommendations. If we see a case at our institution it will be in a negative pressure room with double everything, not just double gloves.... And the buddy system to take the gear off in layers with spray decontamination in between. The CDC has been woefully behind and inadequate in their recommendations, and it has already cost health care workers illness. Hopefully it will not cost lives.
“This patient did not fit all of the screening guidelines”
Pretty obvious..........and the screening guidelines that the patient did not fit are probably 1) was not in W Africa. 2) is not a healthcare worker who treated an Ebola patient
Don’t know. Check the newspaper website. Maybe they have more details there by now.
The state health department just alerted us that the test result was negative for Ebola for the patient at Methodist University Hospital. We will continue to monitor and care for the patient. We proceeded with an abundance of caution today, and this experience makes our staff even better prepared should we face a case in the future. We are all pleased with the outcome, and believe we are now even better prepared going forward. We’re grateful for the leadership and guidance from our local and state health departments.
I wonder how much Medicare will pay if it costs hundreds of thousand of dollars to take care of an ebola patient.
A link to this thread has been posted on the Ebola Surveillance Thread
Thanks for the ping!
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