Six Hospitals Are Teaming Up to Fight Ebola

Fact: The risk of getting Ebola in Massachusetts remains extremely low, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH). But, the agency also knows that you can never be too careful.

That’s why six Massachusetts hospitals are teaming up to form a “collaborative system” to treat Ebola if the need arises.

The six hospitals are: Baystate Medical Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston Medical Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Tufts Medical Center. All would be responsible for taking in patients from other hospitals in the Commonwealth.

“While there are no cases of Ebola in Massachusetts and the risk remains extremely low, this collaborative system shows that Massachusetts health care providers are well prepared,” said Public Health Commissioner Cheryl Bartlett in a statement. “I thank these six hospitals, their leadership, and staff for their dedication and commitment to ensuring that Massachusetts is ready. It’s important to note that other states in the region are also prepared for any suspect cases, and would not need to transfer cases to Massachusetts.”

All six hospitals have the capabilities, according to the DPH, to screen, identify, and isolate any possible Ebola cases.

“Massachusetts hospitals have been working diligently with appropriate staff to ensure that there are comprehensive internal procedures and policies in place in the event of a confirmed Ebola case within the Commonwealth,” said Tim Gens, executive vice president of the Massachusetts Hospital Association, in a statement. “Hospitals also remain committed to ensuring nurses, physicians, and other frontline health care providers have the proper training, equipment and protocols to remain safe and provide the highest quality care for our patients. Hospitals are partnering with DPH to continually evaluate the specific needs and requirements to ensure an appropriate and coordinated system of care is available throughout the state.”

The DPH wants to make it clear:

Ebola is not transmitted through air, water or food. It is only transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person who has travelled within the past 21 days to one of the West African counties of Guinea, Liberia or Sierra Leone.

For the facts on Ebola, visit www.mass.gov/Ebola.