EBOLA-KNOW ABOUT THIS DISEASE

Preparedness Plan

Develop a preparedness plan that provides specific information on procedures and protocols to be used in your hospital or healthcare setting for identifying and caring for a patient with Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).  A preparedness plan should include:

• Inpatient and ambulatory organizational policies and procedures that are in line with current CDC guidelines.
• Incorporation of appropriate screening criteria to be used during patient registration and triage.
• Rigorous training of all staff in screening procedures and what to do if a patient screens  positive for suspected EVD.
• Isolation procedures to be used for patients in the ambulatory setting until transportation to an Emergency Department is facilitated, and isolation procedures to be used in the Emergency Department and inpatient setting if the patient is admitted to the hospital.
• Initial and ongoing face-to-face training plans for staff who may provide direct care to a patient with a confirmed diagnosis of EVD.
• Identification of appropriate isolation rooms and staffing plans to facilitate the care of a patient with EVD.
• Appropriate use of PPE in all health care settings when caring for a patient with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of EVD emphasizing the importance of proper hand hygiene.
• Environmental cleaning procedures.
• Mechanism to ensure timely reporting to local and public health officials.

Early Identification of EVD and Transfer to a Higher Level of Care

Early identification of Ebola Virus Disease through effective triage is critical to preventing the spread of infection. Paramedics, RNs, physicians and other personnel employed at health clinics and medical offices may be the first health care professionals to come in contact with patients with suspected Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).  The CDC provides the following guidance regarding identification and management of patients with suspected EVD:

Hospitalization

Hospitals may encounter patients with suspected and/or confirmed Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) at any time.  Updated CDC guidelines released on October 20th, 2014 remind all health care facilities that a preparedness plan that includes rigorous education, drilling and practice of any staff that directly interact with or care for patients is critical to ensure safe management of patients with EVD, particularly with PPE donning and doffing procedures.  No skin, hair or other body parts should be exposed when caring for patient with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of EVD.  In addition, a trained monitor should oversee all PPE donning and doffing procedures.  ANA encourages all nurses to use the highest level of PPE recommended by the CDC at all times when in contact with a suspected/confirmed Ebola patient.

Community Interaction

As trusted members of the community, people look to nurses for information about Ebola.  The six things nurses should communicate to family, friends and members of the community are:

1. Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is spread through direct contact with the blood and body fluids of someone who has EVD. 
2. EVD is not spread through casual contact, or through the air, food or water.
3. A person infected with EVD can’t spread the disease until symptoms appear.
4. Early symptoms of EVD include fever (usually higher than 101.5F), muscle pain, headache, sore throat and abdominal pain.
5. If you or someone you know has been to an area known to have confirmed cases of EVD and develops symptoms within 21 days of travel, seek medical care immediately.
6. There is no vaccine against Ebola, However, you can protect yourself by washing your hands frequently and avoiding contact with blood, urine and other body fluids of someone who is at risk for, or sick with Ebola.