INTEGRIS Preparedness Plan: Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) With the spread of Ebola to the U.S., ensuring our employees and communities are safe is the utmost importance. Although the majority of our INTEGRIS employees, including most direct care providers, will have no contact with patients who are suspected to have the Ebola virus, all employees should have the facts on the Ebola virus disease and the INTEGRIS preparedness plan. Click here to view the video on the INTEGRIS Ebola Preparedness Plan, featuring James White, M.D., INTEGRIS Chief Medical Officer.

Click to edit Master title style What is Ebola? The Ebola virus causes an acute, serious illness which is often fatal. Early supportive care with rehydration, symptomatic treatment improves survival. The current outbreak in west Africa, (first cases notified in March 2014), is the largest and most complex Ebola outbreak since the Ebola virus was first discovered in There have been more cases and deaths in this outbreak than all others combined. The most severely affected countries, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia have very weak health systems, lacking human and infrastructural resources. On August 8, the WHO Director-General declared this outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. References: Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) INTEGRIS Preparedness Plan: Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) The facts about Ebola Virus Disease.

Click to edit Master title style How does Ebola spread? The Ebola virus is transferred through direct contact with an infected animal or persons’ body fluids including blood, vomit, urine, feces, sweat, semen and saliva. The virus enters the body through an open wound, the eyes, nose or mouth. Ebola virus is not spread through causal contact, air, water or food grown or legally purchased in the US. Ebola can only spread from an infected person to others after the infected person’s symptoms begin. References: Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) INTEGRIS Preparedness Plan: Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) The facts about Ebola Virus Disease.

INTEGRIS Preparedness Plan: Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) What are the symptoms of Ebola? Symptoms can appear from 2 to 21 days after exposure. Symptoms include: – Fever – Malaise – Muscle ache – Headache – Diarrhea – Vomiting – Stomach ache – Unexplained bleeding or bruising After 21 days, if an exposed person does not develop symptoms, they will not become sick with Ebola. References: Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) The facts about Ebola Virus Disease.

INTEGRIS Preparedness Plan: Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) How is INTEGRIS responding? Public notices asking patients to self-report travel to West Africa or contact with someone who recently traveled there have been posted at all patient access locations in every INTEGRIS facility. Admitting professionals are following specific triage guidelines to rapidly identify and isolate patients who potentially may have the Ebola virus. A specific team of physicians and nurses at each INTEGRIS hospital emergency department will provide the care to patients who potentially have the Ebola virus. This designated team has received additional training on isolation procedures and will participate in ongoing drills. Patients suspected of having the Ebola virus will be isolated in specific rooms at each INTEGRIS hospital. Ebola isolation kits with specific personal protective equipment are in place at each INTEGRIS facility. INTEGRIS Family Care Clinics and urgent care facilities have received training on the procedure if an Ebola-suspect patient presents. Employees will be provided with weekly updates on the INTEGRIS Ebola Preparedness Plan.

Click to edit Master title style How can I protect myself and my family? Consistently practice standard precautions – health care providers should always use standard precautions when there is potential for contact with body fluids, regardless of their patient’s presumed diagnosis. These include basic hand hygiene and use of personal protective equipment such as gloves, gown and face masks with shields, to block splashes or other contact with infected materials. Practice careful hand hygiene - wash your hands frequently and thoroughly using soap and water for at least 15 seconds or an alcohol based foam. Be aware of the symptoms and travel history of others around you and your family. Stay informed by participating in the weekly INTEGRIS updates and accessing information on the INSIDE page. References: Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), INTEGRIS Infection Control and Safety policy and procedure. INTEGRIS Preparedness Plan: Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) The facts about Ebola Virus Disease.

INTEGRIS Preparedness Plan: Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) If you have any questions or concerns about the INTEGRIS Preparedness Plan for the Ebola Virus Disease, please contact your department director. Other INTEGRIS Resources include: – INTEGRIS Ebola Virus Disease Information page located on the INSIDE page – Environmental Health & Safety Department – INTEGRIS Infection Control Specialist for your facility – Nursing Education & Research Clinical Education Consultants References: Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO)