The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has announced that it is collaborating with Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin and the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in addition to UW Health to care for patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Ebola.
Even though Ebola has not been diagnosed in Wisconsin and the risk of contracting it remains very low, if a case of Ebola is confirmed, DHS will work with the medical team caring for the patient to transfer him or her to one of those three health systems.
“This is an important piece of the state’s overall coordinated strategy of Ebola preparedness,” said state health officer Karen McKeown. “All health systems are continuing to prepare to identify, isolate and provide initial care for any patients with Ebola. Because of the specialized care available at the designated hospitals, and because of their demonstrated preparedness, these designated health systems have agreed to be centers of excellence and will safely provide treatment for confirmed cases.”
McKeown continued, “We asked these organizations to volunteer because we feel they have plans in place that will increase the odds of recovery for patients diagnosed with the disease. These systems are prepared to safely treat these patients and prevent the spread of Ebola. We expect that additional systems may join this group.”
“We are grateful to the DHS for organizing a coordinated, thoughtful response plan that involves the capabilities of several excellent Wisconsin hospitals,” said Dr. Sid Singh, associate chief medical officer at Froedtert. “As an academic medical center, Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Froedtert Hospital, has expertise in treating complex conditions and illnesses, and we are trained and prepared to safely care for all of our patients.”
Added Dr. Michael Gutzeit, chief medical officer of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, “Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin has already prepared a comprehensive plan, including screening, training, treatment, isolation and protection, in order to safely handle the possibility, however unlikely, of a child being diagnosed with the Ebola virus. As the state’s only independent health system dedicated solely to the care of kids, we appreciate the opportunity to coordinate with the state of Wisconsin, local health departments and other health care systems to ensure that all kids who visit Children’s Hospital receive the best and safest care.”
In the event that Ebola is diagnosed in Wisconsin, DHS will work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to notify the public.
For more information about Ebola and Wisconsin’s preparedness efforts, click here.
