Healthcare Intelligence Network

Ebola drills, preparation of ‘grab-and-go bags” and targeted screening of callers requesting ambulances are some of the Ebola emergency preparedness measures announced by CarePoint Health this week In response to individual cases in the United States and elsewhere.

CarePoint Health has implemented the measures system-wide at its three New Jersey hospitals and its McCabe Ambulance service.

For example, patients arriving in a CarePoint ED will immediately be screened to determine their risk of exposure to Ebola. If a case is suspected, CarePoint Health has procedures, equipment and technology in place to help limit exposure and to safely care for the patient. “We will continue to refine our plan based upon the latest information available from clinicians treating Ebola patients,” said Dr. Mark Spektor, chief clinical integration officer for CarePoint Health.

Also, McCabe Ambulance’s call screening technology incorporates an Ebola screening tool that prompts dispatchers to ask all callers about recent travel and critical symptoms before an ambulance even arrives at the scene. If dispatchers suspect a patient may be at risk for Ebola, EMTs can safely transfer the patient and notify the receiving hospital.

Some other immediate Ebola-related safety measures CarePoint Health has implemented include the following:

• Ebola Drills. CarePoint Health hospitals have each begun running unannounced Ebola drills to help prepare staff members for how to deal with a suspected Ebola case. These drills will continue until the recent outbreak has been contained.

• Creation of Ebola ‘Grab and Go’ bags in emergency departments. Pre-packaged bags containing all necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), instructions for donning/doffing the PPE and a checklist of how to care for patients suspected of being infected with Ebola are available in all CarePoint Health emergency departments.

• Technology. With the new electronic medical record system, changes have been made to the screening and triage of patients making it mandatory to document travel history at intake.

• Internal Communications. CarePoint Health is providing updates about our processes, protocols and systems to all staff members via e-mail, town hall meetings, group huddles, text alerts, and other channels. There are also targeted communications for clinical staff, emergency room personnel, security guards, housekeeping staff, communications reps and senior leadership addressing their specific protocols.

• Regular communications with CDC and state and local health departments. CarePoint Health is in constant communication with the CDC, New Jersey and local health departments so protocols and procedures can be adjusted based upon the latest clinical data.

• Use of personal protective equipment. CarePoint Health is conducting department specific hands-on training on the proper use of personal protective equipment. This training includes donning and doffing of equipment as well as environmental issues surrounding waste disposal.

• Multidisciplinary task force. CarePoint Health has convened a working group drawn from its departments of clinical services, environmental services, infection control, admitting, materials management, human resources, security and others to manage its Ebola response plan.

• Staff education. Staff members will regularly receive written educational material developed by the CDC and compiled by the Departments of Infection Control and organizational education that will address many of the questions surrounding Ebola. Full educational in-services will be provided for those staff members and our affiliated physicians who may potentially have any involvement in either the direct or indirect care of an Ebola patient.