"Houston we have a problem" This just got very real

Published

And so it begins....

A health care worker who treated Thomas Eric Duncan, the first person in the U.S. diagnosed with Ebola who later died, has preliminarily tested positive for the deadly virus, the Texas Department of State Health Services said in a statement today.

The health care worker at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital has been isolated since reporting a low-grade fever Friday, the department said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will conduct further testing to confirm the diagnosis.

"We knew a second case could be a reality, and we've been preparing for this possibility," Dr. David Lakey, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services said in the statement. "We are broadening our team in Dallas and working with extreme diligence to prevent further spread."

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/texas-health-care-worker-tests-positive-ebola/story?id=26135108
Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.
Regardless how our "sister" contracted this virus, my heart breaks for her and her family. I pray for a speedy recovery for her and a quick reunion with her King Charles spaniel. I'm sorry HIPPA is not protecting her privacy better.

First of all, I'm completely with you about support for this young lady who was initially vilified. And I think I'm with most here in doubting any nurse in her position would be careless in any way. Just doesn't wash with me.

But do you really believe her HIPAA rights been violated? I'm not being argumentative but rather want truly seeking what violation may have occurred.

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Breach in protocol could have occurred by anyone caring for the patient, not just the particular nurse. What if someone else doing patient care accidentally breached protocol and somehow got virus on them and then inadvertently transferred it to an object on the unit. What about patient visitors? The nurse or others might touch that and infect themselves while outside the room... I agree that it doesn't seem right to blame the person that is infected for infecting herself...especially when there is no proof.

As others have written, I would want a HazMat suit, not the flimsy gowns and/or partial face shields we wear in ordinary contact rooms. I think hospitals should communicate protocols and ensure workers have adequate staffing to ensure donning and removal of proper PPE, and appropriate control of objects/traffic/personnel related to the room, etc.

If I were to be caring for an Ebola patient, I think I'd rather stay at the hospital rather than risk infecting my loved ones. I wonder if they have thought about offering workers accommodations such as that...

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According to this LA Times article, it appears that health care personnel taking care of Mr. Duncan were not in full protective gear until results came in positive for ebola on Sept. 30 -- two days after admission. So there seems to have been a two-day period where they were caring for him in standard isolation gear (non-protective) while he was having "explosive diarrhea and projectile vomiting". Maybe this is why they are expecting more cases.

The timeline:

Texas healthcare worker tests positive for Ebola - LA Times

— On Sept. 25, Duncan came to the ER complaining of a headache and abdominal pain. At one point, he registered a fever of 103 and told the hospital he had been in West Africa. He was sent home with a prescription for antibiotics.

— His condition worsened dramatically, and on Sept. 28, he returned to the hospital in an ambulance shortly after 10 a.m.

— Doctors admitted him and put him in isolation. By evening, he was projectile vomiting, having explosive diarrhea and running a temperature of 103.1 degrees.

— On Sept. 29, as his condition worsened, Duncan asked the nurse to put him in a diaper.

— On Sept. 30, tests results confirmed Duncan had Ebola. Only then did staff treating Duncan trade their gowns and scrubs for hazmat suits, and the room was cleaned with bleach.

— On Oct. 8, Duncan died.

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Specializes in hospice.
According to this LA Times article, it appears that health care personnel taking care of Mr. Duncan were not in full protective gear until results came in positive for ebola on Sept. 30 -- two days after admission. So there seems to have been a two-day period where they were caring for him in standard isolation gear (non-protective) while he was having "explosive diarrhea and projectile vomiting". Maybe this is why they are expecting more cases.

Are. You. *******. Kidding.

With his symptoms and his known travel history?!

Who is making these decisions?!

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Specializes in RN CRRN.

Exactly!

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So I heard there was a possible 3rd victim who was just raced to the ER in Dallas from an Urgent Care with all the s/s of Ebola. The plot thickens… it was the Deputy that secured the apartment.

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.
So I heard there was a possible 3rd victim who was just raced to the ER in Dallas from an Urgent Care with all the s/s of Ebola. The plot thickens... it was the Deputy that secured the apartment.

That was before the nurse, the man's been cleared.

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.
http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/09/health/ebola-crisis/index.html
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Specializes in Emergency, ICU.

Alright, Esme! You might be right after all ... ;)

But I am still not panicking. I am educated on this thing because I know I will see it in the ED soon. Thankfully, my hospital actually has good PPE stocked and ready to go.

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Specializes in Emergency, ICU.

Our better medicine is putting us at higher risk: "And the authorities are weighing whether procedures like intubation and dialysis are worth the grave risks they pose to the medical workers who perform them. Such modern medical procedures can extend life, but are complex, and are not part of regular care in the African countries hardest hit by Ebola."

Source: NY Times

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I agree with this article that patients need to go to one of the four bio containment facilities or they need to create DEDICATED regional "Ebola Care Centers" where they are provided with the proper PPE (Hazmat type suits with respirators), enhanced PPE training in donning and doffing the gear using the buddy system, training in treating human waste prior to flushing and how to properly dispose of waste that has been in the patients room.

I also think that for the safety of other patients on the unit they should be staffed 1:1 in a neg pressure room so that none of the virus leaves the room and the nurse caring for an Ebola victim does not accidentally transport any virus into another patients room.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/14/us/questions-rise-on-preparations-at-hospitals-to-deal-with-ebola.html?action=click&contentCollection=U.S.&region=Footer&module=MoreInSection&pgtype=article&_r=0

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.
[ATTACH]16091[/ATTACH].

Presby strong and proud. ---Facebook

NOT. A facebook page to question , debate or challenge---

A page of support fo Nina and for the Presby family

#presbyproud

Oh my...that selfie of her and her little dog... I'm going to cry now.

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