St. Vincent Charity Medical Center cares for patients with any infectious disease according to established protocol. In collaboration with public health officials, a team led by Infection Control and Richard Chmielewski, MD, Infectious Disease, has been following CDC guidelines in preparation for Ebola patients.

We understand what is required of our hospital, including staffing, training, equipment, supplies and facilities, whenever anyone comes to our hospital with what could be any infectious disease. As always, our primary concern is high-quality care and the safety of our patients, visitors, staff and community.

"For weeks we have been preparing through development of policies, participation in tabletop exercises and unannounced drills, and ongoing training of frontline staff," said Dr. Chmielewski. "We have also participated regularly in the broader public health initiative underway throughout Greater Cleveland."

Some of the specific plans for preparedness include:

• Training of all St. Vincent Charity Caregivers who provide direct patient care for potential Ebola patients.
• Assessments in our electronic health record to prompt inquiries about recent travel history to Ebola-affected areas for patients presenting with fever or flu-like symptoms.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Caregivers that includes gowns/bodysuits, face shields, masks and gloves.
• Repeated training on the donning and doffing (putting on and taking off) of PPE.
• Isolation room with negative pressure that does not allow air in or out.  
• Ongoing drills, tabletop exercises and training in the proper care of potential patient based on recommendations from both the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Ohio Department of Health (ODH)
• Minimizing the use of unnecessary tests and blood draws.

United Way 2-1-1 First Call for Help is on the front line with other Northeast Ohio emergency management and public health officials and is available to answer the public's questions about Ebola. United Way 2-1-1 callers will be triaged according to CDC guidelines and referred to the appropriate local resources.