focus on health
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update
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WITH TH I S I N M I N D, North Shore-LIJ Health System
developed the new specialized treatment center at
Glen Cove Hospital to safely care for patients who have
Ebola or other highly contagious diseases, such as SARS,
tuberculosis or smallpox.
A Perfect Fit
The Ebola treatment center is housed in a secure
part of the hospital accessible by a private ambulance
bay. Patients who are admitted do not pass through
the hospital, reducing the possibilities of transmitting
the disease.
"The safety and well-being of patients, their caretakers
and the community were our top priorities when planning
the unit," said Susan Kwiatek, DNP, executive director
of Glen Cove Hospital. "We've met or exceeded safety
protocols set by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention and collaborated with leaders in infectious
disease to create a secure environment for care."
Attention to detail sets this unit apart. Safety
equipment both protects health care workers and keeps
them comfortable while engaged in patient care, and
anyone who works in the unit can remain on-site if
needed for the required 21-day quarantine period to
further reduce the risk of spreading the disease.
Patients benefit from amenities too. Anyone admitted
to the Ebola treatment center is given an iPad to use for
apps, games and Skype. The device is provided to help
patients stay active and keep in touch with loved ones.
The Dream Team
All personnel qualified to work in the isolation unit
are volunteers from Glen Cove Hospital and other
North Shore-LIJ Health System facilities. Extensive
on-going training for volunteer nurses and doctors helps
keep them prepared for every eventuality they might face
if an Ebola patient is admitted to the hospital.
"Volunteers specialize in pediatrics, obstetrics,
cardiovascular health and other areas of medicine," said
Darlene Parmentier, RN, director of patient care services.
"As part of North Shore-LIJ Health System, we're also
connected to a broad network of medical professionals
who can be reached via telemedicine or brought in to
consult once they are trained."
The recent Ebola outbreak in western Africa claimed the lives of more than 10,000 people
and affected countless others. Its spread highlights the need for specialized infectious
disease management abroad and close to home.
WHEN DEALING WITH EBOLA
Safety, Community Come First
Did You Know?
The new $2 million
isolation unit at
Glen Cove Hospital is the
only site on Long Island
recognized by the
US Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
as an Ebola
treatment center.
NorthShoreLIJ.com
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