COLUMBUS -- All Ohio hospitals have now completed Ebola preparedness and response drills, including training in how to manage a suspect Ebola-positive patient and the proper use of personal protective equipment, reports the Ohio Department of Health.

"Our hospital partners are doing their part to be prepared in case they have to treat a patient with Ebola,” said ODH Director Richard Hodges. “Training in how to manage an Ebola patient and the proper use of personal protective equipment is essential to ensure Ohio hospitals and their frontline staff are confident in their ability to safely care for Ebola patients.”

ODH required hospitals to become fully prepared. There are no confirmed cases of Ebola in Ohio and none of the 163 people currently being monitored in Ohio have shown any Ebola symptoms, officials note.

“Ohio hospitals have taken decisive action to conduct and complete training drills as part of their ongoing efforts to prepare for a potential Ebola patient, and the Ohio Hospital Association is actively engaged with our members and partners to address this public health threat," said Mike Abrams, CEO of the Ohio Hospital Association.

Last week, in order to ensure Ohio hospitals are prepared to handle a potential Ebola patient, Hodges called on all Ohio hospitals to conduct a series of training and practice drills. The drills include instruction for frontline patient-contact staff on how to properly receive, isolate and implement proper infection control practices for a potential Ebola patient, as well as how to properly put on and remove personal protective equipment.

ODH also asked hospitals to assess their stock of personal protective equipment to ensure they have an adequate capacity to protect their staff.

SOURCE: Ohio Department of Health.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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