This is only a drill: Memorial Hospital tests Ebola response

Staff prepared with education and drills to treat potential Ebola patients

photo Chattanooga's Memorial Hospital on Friday conducted an Ebola response drill as concern mounts across the U.S. that the disease could spread.

As concern mounts across the U.S. that the spread of Ebola could spiral out of control, officials at Memorial Hospital worked Friday to prepare their staff and facility to handle a case of the disease.

The hospital is preparing with both drills and education so that they are able to respond immediately if a case of Ebola is detected in Chattanooga.

"What happened in Dallas could happen anywhere," said Doctor Lee Hamilton.

The hospital is focusing on education and training for staff members so they know how to handle a case of Ebola from the minute a potentially infected patient walks through the doors.

Hospital officials in Dallas, as well as in the African countries where Ebola gained steam in the latest outbreak, have come under harsh criticism for not taking the proper steps to contain potentially infectious patients.

Dr. Mark Anderson, an infectious disease specialist at Memorial, said the hospital is prepared to screen, identify and immediately act in order to reduce the incidences of exposure to the deadly virus.

See Saturday's Times Free Press for the full story.

Upcoming Events