The Cass County Health System has begun screening patients for Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever indicators. In the ongoing effort to contain this virus, the Centers for Disease Control has recommended all healthcare providers implement this screening process in areas where patients could present with symptoms of Ebola. According to Todd Hudspeth, Chief Executive Officer, the screening is precautionary, as there have been no cases of Ebola diagnosed in the state of Iowa, and only three in the entire United States.

Hudspeth said “It’s a simple thing we can do to ensure the health and safety of our patients and community. On the off chance that someone local would contract a case of Ebola, early diagnosis allows us to ensure the proper infection control procedures and equipment would be used, thus limiting the spread of the virus.” The screening involves asking patients coming into Atlantic Medical Center, or the CCMH Outpatient Clinic, hospital inpatient areas and the Emergency Department four questions (see below).

Another precaution CCHS officials have taken is to assign an in-house Ebola coordinator, as recommended by the CDC. Dr. Patricia Goodemote, CCHS Chief Medical Officer, has been designated for this local role. “Dr. Goodemote is one of our Emergency Department physicians. Prior to coming to CCHS, she served for 24 years in the United States Air Force, where she received extensive disaster preparedness training,” Hudspeth explained. “She is monitoring CDC and Iowa Department of Public Health updates on a daily basis and will serve as our local expert with regard to Ebola updates and protocols.”

Dr. Goodemote states, “Although the risk for Ebola is low in Iowa, we want to be prepared. Fortunately, people coming from countries with Ebola patients are being screened on arrival in the United States and being followed closely by Public Health for 21 days to ensure they do not develop symptoms. In addition, if they have had any exposure to individuals with Ebola while in these countries, they are also being quarantined in their homes for 21 days. These measures are limiting the risk to all Americans. Realize if the person does not have symptoms they are not contagious.”

According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, if an individual has been exposed to Ebola and begins to experience symptoms, they should self-isolate at home and immediately contact their healthcare provider or an emergency room by telephone. Then the appropriate infection control procedures can be implemented before the patient transfers for medical care to limit the risk to the community, but still allow for care of the individual.

Up-to-date information on the Ebola outbreak can be found on the Centers for Disease Control website, http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola.

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Ebola Hemoraghic Fever Screening Questions:

1. Have you (patient) traveled to West Africa (Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, or Sierra Leone) in the past 21 days? (Circle one)

Yes No

2. If yes to Question #1, do you (patient) have any of the following symptoms? (Check all that apply)

___Fever more than 38.6 Celsius or 101.5 Fahrenheit AND

___Severe headache
___Muscle pain
___Vomiting
___Diarrhea
___Abdominal pain
___Unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding)

3. Has anyone with the patient today traveled to West Africa (Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, or Sierra Leone) in the past 21 days? (Circle one)

Yes No

4. If yes to Question #3, does this person(s) have any of the following symptoms? (Check all that apply)

___Fever more than 38.6 Celsius or 101.5 Fahrenheit AND

___Severe headache
___Muscle pain
___Vomiting
___Diarrhea
___Abdominal pain
___Unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding)