The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is one of only a handful of hospitals around the country prepared to treat a patient if Ebola spreads.
Pennsylvania state officials asked administrators at the University City-based hospital if they could one of the few sites that could treat any children who might contract Ebola.
Since August, the hospital’s staff has worked to ensure that they have the proper protective equipment and isolation rooms in place.
“Preparation is key,” said Dr. Julia Simmons, the Director of Infection Prevention and Control at CHOP.
“For us really making our staff very comfortable and educated around the appropriate use of personal protective equipment, particularly in the removal of that equipment -- to do so in a one that does not contaminate oneself – those are critical steps to educate on.”
Other steps CHOP is taking includes asking patients if they recently traveled to Western Africa where the current Ebola outbreak appeared to have originated.
