Royal Alex emergency department reopens after Ebola scare
CBC News | Posted: September 22, 2014 2:58 PM | Last Updated: September 22, 2014
AHS says hospital staff followed protocols
Alberta Health Services has announced it will reopen the emergency department at the Royal Alexandra Hospital after ruling out Ebola as a possible diagnosis for a patient.
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“After further assessment of a patient at the Royal Alex emergency department, Alberta Health Services will be reopening the department at 11 o’clock this morning,” said Dr. Gerry Predy with AHS.
The patient's travel history and symptoms suggested he may have been exposed to Ebola, said Predy.
However, doctors have since ruled out the possibility based on the patient’s travel itinerary, he said.
“Staff have been screening all patients and, I think in this case, identified a patient that there was some small probability of being in an Ebola-infected area – but when we actually did a detailed analysis of the travel itinerary, he was not in any Ebola-infected area.”
Based on lab and medical opinion, the patient will not be tested for Ebola, Predy said.
However, Predy assured that patients and staff were not in danger, adding that the entire area has been decontaminated as a precautionary measure.
“Any patients that were in the department at that time can be reassured that they’re not at risk of getting Ebola or other infections diseases.”
The patient remains under investigation at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. Predy would not comment on the specifics of his condition except to say his exact diagnosis has not yet been confirmed.
Staff followed protocols, says AHS
Predy said the patient had been waiting “for some time” in the emergency department before being admitted around 6 a.m.
He was immediately isolated after reporting his symptoms and recent travel to Africa. The department started turning away patients about half an hour later.
Asked whether staff over-reacted, Predy said staff were simply following protocols developed to deal with situations like this.
“I would say the chances of a case of Ebola appearing in Canada is pretty small but I think all of the … hospitals across the country are prepared to deal with a case of Ebola,” he said.
“Today’s actions should provide reassurance that even if there was a case of Ebola – as rare as it might be – it’ll be handled.”
Department closed
Earlier Monday morning, AHS announced it would be closing down the emergency room temporarily while it managed the care of a patient with a "potential contagious illness."
When asked how common it was for an emergency room to be shut down, Predy said, “It’s pretty unusual, I think, from my perspective – but there are times when I think emergencies do have to divert patients for various reasons.”
The rest of the hospital remained open throughout the morning.
Speaking on behalf of AHS, Predy apologized for the disruption and thanked hospital staff for their quick action.