As the saying goes, 'a picture's worth a thousand words.' This one is worth even more than that.
Here's a photo of CDC director Tom Frieden, MD, exiting an Ebola ward. It seems the PPE and protocols he recommends for us aren't enough for him:
Tom Frieden, M.D., the director of the CDC, is decontaminated by Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders staff after visiting their Ebola treatment unit ELWA3, on Aug. 27, 2014.
CDC's Director Dr. Frieden is exiting the high-risk area of the ELWA3 (Eternal Love Winning Africa) Ebola Treatment Unit. Undressing must be done in a way that prevents the body from being exposed to infectious material. The order of removing contaminated clothing is critical. The sprayer is decontaminating each layer with chlorine as Dr. Frieden removes his personal protective equipment.
Well, since nurses and other health care personnel can ONLY get this (or any other) virus by "breaching protocol", it is clear that these expensive suits and other equipment are MUCH to valuable to 'waste' on hospital employees.....[end sarcasm font]
He's not taking any chances when his life is on the line. Sad that he doesn't afford nurses the same protections and expects them to make do with far less! I think he should just resign already! It is long overdue! I'm sure us nurses have a no confidence vote for him!
I can tell you right now, the old CDC guidelines for taking off PPE wouldn't fly in the OR even in a regular scenario. Gown comes off first by grasping the front and pulling, then gloves, then mask. It did say that many hospital wear two sets of gloves, which is smart.
I cringe every time I see pictures of people taking off the gown with bare hands. Very easy for fluids to end up on the back of the gown too.
I think the hospital in Dallas should have immediately transferred Duncan to Emory or Nebraska, where they have cared for multiple Ebola patients without any of their staff contracting the virus. I think the Dallas hospital got in over their head thinking they were going to be able to treat him. That's akin to a rural community health clinic taking on a patient with Stage IV pancreatic cancer thinking they are going to cure him.
How can he sleep at night...
trishmsn
127 Posts
Well, since nurses and other health care personnel can ONLY get this (or any other) virus by "breaching protocol", it is clear that these expensive suits and other equipment are MUCH to valuable to 'waste' on hospital employees.....[end sarcasm font]