By Lori Armstrong
As a nursing community, our thoughts are with both Nina Pham and Amber Vinson, the two nurses in Dallas who contracted Ebola after caring for a patient who died from this disease after returning from Liberia. These two new cases are the first confirmed transmissions of Ebola in the United States.
Nurses play such a critical role in the care of every patient. The treatment provided in situations such as these highlights the amazing work of nurses and the inseparable link between outstanding nursing care and patient care outcomes.
Ebola is a serious illness, and as a nurse myself, I understand and share the concerns that nurses and health care providers across the country have about Ebola. Texas Children’s is committed to providing the very best care to patients with suspected or confirmed Ebola while ensuring the safety of our caregivers. Nursing leaders are partnering with Infection Control and our physician colleagues to ensure the best protocols and procedures are in place, and I am confident that Texas Children’s Hospital is prepared.
Since suspected Ebola patients will be cared for by the nurses and physicians in the Emergency Centers, Pediatric ICUs, the Women’s Assessment Center, and in the Labor and Delivery Unit, it is unlikely that many of you will come in contact with an Ebola patient at the hospital. However, for those who may care for these patients, extensive training is being provided. We are so thankful to our dedicated colleagues in these areas for their participation in all the training and preparation that is ongoing.
We will support and protect our health care team
While caring for our patients remains our focus at Texas Children’s, we are also intensely focused on protecting our physicians, nurses and staff. Keeping each one of you safe as you care for these patients means that we will provide you with state-of-the-art personal protective equipment (PPE), extensive training and education in the use of PPE, and ongoing communication.
Personal protective equipment such as impervious jumpsuits or gowns, gloves, eye protection, facemasks and shoe covers are readily available and frontline employees are being trained on the proper use of this isolation equipment. We will use PPE practice drills as well as simulation to ensure competency of all employees who will be providing direct care to these patients.
Education and communication is of utmost importance, and we are doing everything possible to stay up to date with the latest information and share it with those who will be directly responsible for these patients’ care. As new information becomes available, leaders will work to quickly understand any new recommendations, make changes and communicate those changes to you.
Our preparedness has been tested
As mentioned, designated teams are in place and I am confident we are taking the right precautions to be prepared should an Ebola patient arrive at Texas Children’s. Two weeks ago when a patient who returned from Sierra Leone presented at our West Camus Emergency Center with a fever, the patient was immediately isolated and subsequently transferred to the PICU. The appropriate teams were notified and protocols were followed.
Our staff was ready and performed flawlessly. They were careful, deliberate and efficient, and the right care was provided. The patient was discharged several days later after a negative Ebola test. The entire leadership team and I are so proud of the way this team provided expert care and executed all of the appropriate protocols while supporting the patient, patient’s family and each other.
This is reassurance that we are well prepared to care for patients with Ebola.
We will keep you thoroughly informed
As professional nurses, I encourage all of you to stay up to date on the latest Ebola information we are sharing regarding our response and readiness.
Please check Connect regularly. You can also visit the external Connect news site at www.texaschildrensnews.org anytime. We also will continue posting information here on our Voice of Nursing blog. And as always, your nursing leaders and I are here to support each and every one of you and answer any questions you may have about our preparations.
The voice of nursing is especially critical during our preparation and planning for patients with Ebola. Therefore, your input, suggestions, questions and feedback are welcomed and appreciated. You will continue to play a vital role in the coming days, weeks and months.
I am honored to work among such compassionate, dedicated nurses. I have never been prouder of our team for taking such great measures to care for patients who need us most. You inspire me to be a better nurse and a better leader.