State health officials have identified Denver Health, University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital Colorado as medical centers ready to provide a higher level of care to confirmed Ebola cases here.
More hospitals could be added to the list.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Colorado Hospital Association began circulating a survey Friday to medical providers to learn more about their questions, concerns and levels of readiness.
State officials said they expect every hospital to be prepared to identify, isolate and provide initial care to any suspected or confirmed Ebola patient in the short term. The state immediately will mobilize a team of infectious-disease experts from the health department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help manage the case. They will, case by case, help create plans for treatment, possible transport to another hospital and tracing contacts.
State health department director Dr. Larry Wolk held a teleconference Friday with more than 370 representatives of hospitals and health care agencies. Questions revealed confusion and uncertainty over which protective clothing providers should use and how it should be donned and removed.
CDC guidelines have been evolving on personal protective equipment, or PPE. New CDC guidelines are expected, perhaps as early as this weekend, Wolk said.
“We have heard loud and clear the issues related to PPE,” Wolk said.
The state also has offered information or guidelines on quarantine and isolation orders, handling of contaminated waste and even contractors for cleaning of any patients’ residences.
Gov. John Hickenlooper joined in the teleconference and expressed his confidence in the state’s readiness.
Wolk, in an interview with The Denver Post, said Colorado was in good shape with its hospital ladder system, its system to disseminate information and its outreach to professionals to address their questions and concerns.
Electa Draper: 303-954-1276, edraper@denverpost.com or
