With the first confirmed case of an Ebola in the U.S., the largest U.S. organization of nurses warned that U.S. hospitals are far from ready for the Ebola outbreak, are sorely lacking in other disaster planning, and everyone needs to do more to stop Ebola.
The National Nurses United started surveying registered nurses three weeks ago, and interviewed 400 nurses in over 24 states. The results of the survey revealed:
- More than 60 percent of RNs say their hospital is not prepared
for the Ebola virus. - 80 percent say their hospital has not communicated to them any policy regarding
potential admission of patients infected by Ebola
- 85 percent say their hospital has not provided education on Ebola
- 30 percent say their hospital has insufficient supplies of eye protection (face shields
or side shields with goggles) and fluid resistant gowns - 65 percent say their hospital fails to reduce the number of patients they must care
for to accommodate caring for an “isolation” patient
LESSONS LEARNED:
- Hospital Security personnel can educate themselves on Ebola at www.cdc.gov/ebola.
- Security Managers should work with management to establish different pathways for patients in case Ebola shows up at your hospital.
- Extra barriers, tents, masks, biological waste containment, etc. should be purchased early before supplies are sold out.
- Security Departments should be Prepared to Direct Traffic, Condon Off Specific Areas, and Designate Pathways for both Ebola-patients and staff. And also non-Ebola staff members.
- Create procedures in case an Ebola patients walks into your Emergency Department!
National Nurses United is calling for, “NU is calling for:
All U.S. hospitals to immediately implement a full emergency preparedness plan for Ebola, or other disease outbreaks. That includes full training of hospital personnel along with proper protocols and training materials for responding to outbreaks, adequate supplies of all personal protective equipment, properly equipped isolation rooms to assure patient, visitor and staff safety, and sufficient staffing to supplement nurses and other health workers who need to care for patients in isolation.
Help your Hospital Prepare for Possible Ebola Cases NOW!
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