Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley announced today that The Johns Hopkins Hospital has been designated as one of the facilities prepared to treat potential patients with Ebola virus disease. Currently, there are no confirmed cases of Ebola in Maryland or at any hospitals within the Johns Hopkins Medicine network.
The coordinated response plan, developed by state health and hospital officials, ensures that all emergency departments in Maryland are ready to evaluate patients suspected of having the virus. If a case is confirmed and no federal treatment facility is available, the patient will be treated at one of three designated hospitals.
The plan outlines a screening process for all Maryland hospitals to identify potential Ebola cases and isolate them as necessary. Hospitals will collaborate with the state’s public health laboratory for rapid confirmation of the virus.
In the event of a confirmed case, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will coordinate with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to assess the availability of federal facilities, including the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center in Bethesda.
Johns Hopkins Medicine has been preparing its infectious disease specialists to manage potential Ebola cases safely, ensuring the safety of other patients and staff. Ronald R. Peterson, president of The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System, emphasized the institution's commitment to utilizing its expertise to address the needs of Maryland and the nation.
The hospital aims to provide comprehensive training and safety protocols for its clinicians while ensuring the highest quality care for patients. For ongoing updates and resources regarding the Ebola outbreak, visit hopkinsmedicine.org/ebola.
Reported by HarborBeat based on Johns Hopkins University (source).
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