University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center (UM CRMC) is conducting organization wide readiness assessments for the Ebola virus from October 16 through October 24. This exercise is part of a review of protocols that has been ongoing for several weeks. UM CRMC’s Emergency Preparedness Team is coordinating the exercise with assistance from Charles County Department of Health, Government, Emergency Services, Sheriff’s Office and the Town of La Plata.
The health and safety of every single patient and visitor to University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center is of utmost importance. UM CRMC is committed to maintaining the highest standards and most current protocols and training, to minimize the risk of anyone contracting an infectious disease like Ebola.
“In order for us to ensure an effective response during an emergency, it is important that we practice our plans ahead of time. By testing our abilities to respond appropriately to this type of health crisis, we will be able to
respond more effectively to all situations where the public’s safety could be compromised,” said Mark Dumais, MD, Chief Medical Officer at UM CRMC. “Although currently there are no reported cases of Ebola virus in Maryland, it is critical that we are well-prepared should a patient present at our hospital.”
With this effort, we hope to be able to assess and evaluate a number of factors including: hospital readiness, protocols, procedures, equipment use, communications, isolation and quarantine, and coordinated/collaborated local agency response.
Now, more than ever, collaboration among all those involved in caring for the people in our communities — nurses, doctors, EMS providers, hospital support staff, firefighters, police, sanitation workers, health officials, and others — is critical.
While the readiness assessment is underway UM CRMC will continue to provide all of our normal healthcare services.
