Iowa hospitals ready to battle Ebola

The emergence of the Ebola virus in the U.S. has heightened awareness of all hospitals and health care workers about the importance of following strict infection control procedures. Throughout Iowa and the nation, now is the time to share collective wisdom to stop Ebola from spreading.

The health and safety of every patient and visitor to Iowa's hospitals are of utmost importance. Indeed, the very reason hospitals exist is to heal patients and make sure they stay healthy. Iowa hospitals are deeply committed to maintaining highstandards and current protocols and training, to minimize the risk of anyone contracting an infectious disease like Ebola.

Iowa's hospitals are convening regularly so that infection specialists and emergency services leaders receive updates on Ebola management and treatment and can learn from one another. Hospital leaders are examining and refining best practices and protocols from resources including academic research, day-to-day learning and media coverage, in addition to shared information from health agencies.

Hospital professionals are trained to provide treatment to patients with infectious diseases and each hospital has infection control procedures in place. Education is also provided to hospital personnel in the event a known or suspected Ebola patient would seek treatment locally.

Collaboration and communication within Iowa's health care community are key to the state's readiness efforts. From Fort Madison to Rock Valley, Iowa hospitals are working closely with health agencies to ensure each hospital and every employee are well-prepared should they have an Ebola patient.

This is a rapidly changing situation and Iowa hospitals are doing everything they can with guidance from national, state and local partners. Across the state, hospitals are committed to the safety of their health care workforce and to working together to ensure they are ready and capable of providing care should a case of Ebola develop in our state.

' Kirk Norris is president and CEO of the Iowa Hospital Association. Comments: norrisk@ihaonline.org