Health officials in New York City are urging people not to worry about an outbreak of the Ebola virus — local hospitals are ready to treat patients with the deadly disease.
Bellevue Hospital will officially become the city’s primary center for the treatment of Ebola, Health and Hospital Corporation officials announced Wednesday.
“If we have a confirmed patient, than those patients will be transferred to Bellevue regardless of where they have presented,” said HHC chief medical officer, Dr. Ross Wilson. “Hospitals in New York City are as prepared as they possibly can be for Ebola.”
Anyone arriving at JFK airport that is suspected of having Ebola or showing symptoms will be transported directly to Bellevue, he added.
“We are doing as well as we possibly can and we believe we are set.”
Bellevue staff has been trained for treating Ebola patients by conducting live simulations where people showing fake symptoms arrive in the emergency room and are then isolated and observed.
“We learn which things we have done really well, which things we could do a little better,” Wilson said. “We are doing well on these drills.”
Emergency room staff will be equipped to handle four patients at a time, he said. Expansion is possible if there are more than four patients.
Hospital staff dealing with possible Ebola patients will wear Tyvek gowns, a white bodysuit that is impervious to fluids. In addition to that, they will also be covered head to toe in a standard hospital gown, gloves, boots and a clear head cover.
“There is not a square inch [of the body] exposed,” Wilson said. “There is complete coverage.”
If patients test positive for the Ebola virus, they will be moved to an isolation room elsewhere in the hospital — all such rooms will be secured and guarded by security.
“The general level of preparedness is very high,” Wilson said. “We are prepared. We have the personnel, the equipment and the expertise to manage. We have what is required to manage Ebola.”