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Survey of Ebola Preparedness in Washington State Emergency Departments

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 March 2016

C. Hayes Wong ,
Susan Stern  and
Steven H. Mitchell
C. Hayes Wong*
Affiliation:
University of Washington, Division of Emergency Medicine, Seattle, Washington.
Susan Stern
Affiliation:
University of Washington, Division of Emergency Medicine, Seattle, Washington.
Steven H. Mitchell
Affiliation:
University of Washington, Division of Emergency Medicine, Seattle, Washington.
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Hayes Wong, MD, 325 9th Ave, Box 359702, Seattle, WA 98104-2499 (e-mail: chwong@u.washington.edu).
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Abstract

Objective

The 2014 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa remains the most deadly in history. Emergency departments (EDs) are more likely to come into contact with potential EVD patients. It is important for EDs to be prepared to care for suspected EVD patients. Our objective was to understand the perceived challenges experienced by Washington State ED medical directors in EVD preparedness.

Methods

An anonymous, electronic survey was sent to a convenience sample of ED medical directors across Washington State between November and February of 2014–2015. The perceived challenges of and attitudes toward EVD preparations were assessed and reported as stratified proportions.

Results

Of 85 medical directors contacted, 59 responses (69%) were received. This included EDs with annual patient volumes of <20,000 (20 hospitals, 34%), 20,000 to 40,000 (21 hospitals, 36%), 41,000 to 60,000 (4 hospitals, 6.8%), and >60,000 (12 hospitals, 20%). Among the perceived challenges in EVD preparations were spatial modifications (eg, building an anteroom for donning and doffing of personal protective equipment) and waste management planning. Ninety-five percent of respondents moderately or strongly agreed that it is important to have a predesignated hospital to care for EVD patients.

Conclusions

Washington State ED medical directors have faced significant challenges in ensuring their EDs are prepared to safely care for suspected EVD patients. Attitudes toward EVD preparations are mixed. Varying levels of perceived importance may represent an additional barrier to statewide EVD preparedness. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:662–668)

Keywords

disease outbreaksemergency preparednessdisaster planningepidemics
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 10 , Issue 4 , August 2016 , pp. 662 - 668
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2016 

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