PORT TOWNSEND — While Jefferson Healthcare personnel do not see Ebola as a serious local threat, the hospital is taking advantage of increased awareness of the disease to train staff in the use of personal protective equipment.
“The likelihood of an Ebola outbreak here is extremely low,” said Laura Flowers, the hospital’s infectious disease specialist.
“The upside is that after this training, the staff will have a better understanding of infectious disease.”
Flowers said about 250 clinical staff will receive training in the use of the suits over the next few weeks.
It takes about 30 minutes to train a person on how to use the disposable suit, mostly by putting it on and taking it off, Flowers said.
The suit consists of an impermeable garment covering the body, gloves and a battery-powered helmet that includes its own air filtration system.
The suits are configured to Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation Level 4 standards, which offer the highest level of protection from infectious diseases.
Flowers said the hospital has “an adequate supply” of the suits, enough to equip staff for an emergency.
Many staff members already have been trained in the use of a suit, so the current program serves as a refresher course, according to Kate Burke, the hospital’s director of marketing.
Earlier this week, Dr. Thomas Locke, who serves as the health officer for Jefferson and Clallam counties, said the local health care system could respond to an Ebola outbreak, but that it was unlikely to occur.
He said Ebola was “dominating the news cycle” but that influenza is a greater health risk.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
