Seattle's Harborview Medical Center offers to admit Americans infected with Ebola
SEATTLE -- Americans infected overseas with the deadly Ebola virus could soon be treated at Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center.
Harborview is one of five hospitals across the country willing to treat patients airlifted from West Africa.
Currently, there are no patients at Harborview with Ebola, and there are no immediate plans to take any in, but health officials and the hospital want to be ready before it's needed.
“We believe we can do this safely and effectively for both the patient as well as staff and any other individuals,” Dr. Tim Dellit said Monday.
It’s a bold move from doctors at Harborview -- the state's top trauma center.
“They’re prepared to accept patients infected overseas and are coming to the United States through medical evacuation under controlled conditions for treatment,” said Dr. Jeff Duchin, of Public Health -- Seattle & King County.
Ebola is spread only through contact with blood or bodily fluids from a person showing active symptoms of the disease.
Experts say the disease is spreading so rapidly in parts of Africa, in part because there is no public health authority there to organize a response and chances of an outbreak in the U.S. is still very low.
“Nothing is 100 percent,” said Duchin, “We’re all working to do the best we can; we think the risk is very low.”
Local doctors say rigid protocols in America, including advanced screening for international travel, could mean an outbreak here would be unlikely.
“I remain confident that the public health system is strong and vigilant and will be able to handle any cases that come our way,” said Dr. Scott Lindquist, of Washington State Department of Health.
Tracie Anderson said she works inside Harborview four times a month. While she’s not overly concerned about working next to a patient carrying Ebola, she says it might only be a matter of time before the virus reaches Seattle.
“It’s just a plane ride away from hitting the U.S. or anywhere else in the world,” she said.
Local and state health officials said that all hospitals should know how to evaluate and manage any Ebola cases that might arrive.