An Associated Press review of readiness at U.S. hospitals and other medical facilities shows that the nation’s health care apparatus is so unprepared and short on resources to deal with the deadly Ebola virus that even small clusters of cases could overwhelm parts of the system.
AP reporters examined multiple indicators of readiness: training, manpower, funding, emergency room shortcomings, supplies, infection control and protection for health care workers.
They found that supplies, training and funds are limited. And there are concerns about whether health care workers would refuse to treat Ebola victims.
And while an Ebola outbreak is extremely unlikely, many of the same problems would be posed for outbreaks of other deadly infectious diseases.