CA Hospitals, Nurse Leaders Issue Statement in Response to Ebola Outbreak

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 21, 2014 The following statement was issued today by C. Duane Dauner, President/CEO of the California Hospital Association, Tricia Hunter, Executive Director of the American Nurses Association-California, and Pat McFarland, CEO of the Association of California Nurse Leaders:

"The California Hospital Association, the Association of California Nurse Leaders, American Nurses Association-California, and other professional health care organizations, are working to ensure that patients and the health care workforce are protected and that hospitals are prepared to respond if an Ebola case occurs in California. This is a serious issue that requires a comprehensive response by health care leaders, hospitals, physicians, nurses, public safety and other stakeholders. Communication, cooperation, coordination, and collaboration are critically important.

We support the new guidelines issued late yesterday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We are working with Cal/OSHA, California's regulatory agency, to implement these guidelines, always with the goal of protecting patients, the workforce, and the community.

The safety of patients, hospital employees, first responders, providers and the public is paramount. We are working closely with federal, state and local partners to assure the public that we are responding effectively. Californians can be reassured that universal precautions are in place to screen and identify infectious diseases.

While there are no confirmed cases of Ebola in California, our organizations are actively working with the California Department of Public Health, Cal/OSHA, Cal OES, and the California Emergency Medical Services Authority as well as local public health departments to identify opportunities to strengthen our preparedness to respond. Proper equipment, training, communication and coordination are priorities.

Preparedness and coordination for a wide variety of emergencies allows health care professionals to continuously deliver care to patients in a safe working environment.  Hospitals have concerns about the continued availability of protective equipment and are engaged with their suppliers to address these issues.

As part of their education curriculum, all clinical staff is trained in basic infection control.  Once they are employed by a hospital, clinicians and others involved in patient care are provided additional training on an ongoing basis. Focused education and training programs directed to the treatment of patients with Ebola are underway.

California hospitals and providers will continue to provide high quality care and remain committed to safeguarding patients and our health care workforce."

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ca-hospitals-nurse-leaders-issue-statement-in-response-to-ebola-outbreak-202112786.html

SOURCE California Hospital Association