TCMH Prepares for Ebola

Like hospitals across the nation and around the world, Texas County Memorial Hospital has also prepared for Ebola should the disease surface in the community.

According to Wes Murray, chief executive officer at TCMH, the local hospital has reviewed all hospital protocols to insure that they follow Ebola guidelines set by the Centers for Disease control.

“Our hospital is focused on providing safe, quality patient care in an environment that protects our patients and our caregivers,” Murray said. “Since this disease surfaced in the US, we have been working with all of our hospital departments to update and plans and protocols to protect everyone.”

In addition to reviewing hospital protocols, TCMH has increased the inventory of personal protective equipment and refresher sessions on the use of personal protective equipment have been completed with the hospital staff.

Department managers have also participated in briefings by the CDC, the Missouri Hospital Association and the Texas County Health Department.

“We want to protect our patients, our staff and our community if there’s any possibility of an ebola care in our area,” Murray said.

Currently, all TCMH patients in the hospital and the clinics are asked the following questions:
• In the last 21 days have you, a member of your family, or any visitors to your home been to Africa?
• If “yes” to question one. Please answer if you have any of the following symptoms: fever, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, unexplained bleeding or bruising, or muscle pain?

The CDC is the national authority on Ebola. Healthcare providers and the public can access the most up-to-date information about Ebola on the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/.

If the public has any questions about Ebola or other infectious diseases, they may contact Jenny Sawyer, infection control nurse at TCMH at (417) 967-1388.

If you or someone you know may have been exposed to a potential source of Ebola, contact the nearest hospital emergency department.