31 October, 2014
Medics say patient was never in immediate danger
Medical experts say it is highly unlikely that Ebola could spread to a place like the Oregon Coast. But, an incident in Florence Thursday evening pointed out the need for caution on the part of first-responders.
Medics with Western Lane Ambulance answered a 911 call for a patient with a high fever, nausea and vomiting. It turned out that patient had also recently travelled internationally… although not to West Africa, but through a northern European hub.
Western Lane Safety Officer Dave Haberman (HOBB-er-mun) was called in for advice before medics made physical contact with the patient. He suggested they observe the condition of the patient without coming into close proximity, and then ‘suit up’ in protective coveralls, gloves and masks. Meanwhile, Haberman called in a reserve ambulance to transport the patient so as to not potentially contaminate a first-response unit. The patient was eventually treated at Peace Harbor Medical Center, but not as quickly as a person in a similar situation might have been. The patient’s spouse was apparently upset about the added precaution… and the time… but Haberman defended it saying the patient was never in any immediate peril and medics would have intervened immediately if there had been any. The patient’s safety was always the number one priority, but the responders and caregivers safety was also factored in.
Because of federal patient privacy laws, the patient’s name, gender, and other identifying factors were not released.
