Nina Pham Moving From Texas For Ebola Treatment
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Nina Pham's father tells CBS 11 that she will be moving from Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital on Thursday to continue receiving treatment for Ebola.
"She's doing fine. Her spirits are good," he said.
The hospital released this statement on her behalf, " "I'm so thankful for the outpouring of love and support from friends and family, my coworkers and complete strangers. I feel very blessed, and have gained strength from their support. I appreciate everything that my coworkers have done to care for me at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. I'm doing really well thanks to this team, which is the best in the world. I believe in my talented coworkers. I am #presbyproud!"
Complete Coverage Of Ebola In North Texas
Pham will not be moving to Emory University, the hospital where Amber Vinson was transferred Wednesday evening. Vinson, also a nurse, contracted Ebola the same way Pham did, by caring for Thomas Duncan, the first diagnosed case of the disease on American soil. Duncan died from the disease a week after his diagnosis was confirmed.
Pham's father would not say where she will be moving, but that her family will be going with her. They will travel on separate airplanes. Dr. Anthony Fauci said in a congressional hearing that Pham will be moved to the National Institutes of Health facility in Bethesda, Maryland. The facility has the ability to care for two Ebola patients at one time.
Fauci said she is being moved to give her "state-of-the-art care" in a high-level containment facility, one of only a few in the country. Fauci said Pham's condition has most recently been reported as stable.
The National Institutes of Heath issued a statement about Pham's expected arrival at the hospital and admittance to the Special Clinical Studies Unit.
"The NIH Clinical Center's Special Clinical Studies Unit is specifically designed to provide high-level isolation capabilities and is staffed by infectious diseases and critical care specialists. The unit staff is trained in strict infection control practices optimized to prevent spread of potentially transmissible agents such as Ebola," the statement read in part. "NIH is taking every precaution to ensure the safety of NIH patients, staff, and the public."
The statement says Texas Health Presbyterian requested the move.
"It was a difficult decision to transfer Nina, a member of our own family and someone who is greatly loved and respected," said Dr. Gary Weinstein, chief of pulmonology and critical care medicine at Texas Health Presbyterian in a statement. "We're so glad she has improved so much in such a short amount of time. Our prayers are with her, and she'll be in wonderful hands at NIH. With many of the medical professionals who would normally staff the intensive care unit sidelined for continuous monitoring, it is in the best interest of Nina, hospital employees, nurses, physicians and the community to give the hospital an opportunity to prepare for whatever comes next."
The hospital also released this statement regarding Pham's move:
"Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, CDC and Texas Department of State Health Services jointly evaluated the options for the continuing care of our patients, including Nina Pham. We believe that transferring Nina to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the right decision.
With many of the medical professionals who would normally staff the intensive care unit sidelined for continuous monitoring, it is in the best interest of the hospital employees, nurses, physicians and the community to give the hospital an opportunity to prepare for whatever comes next.
Throughout this situation, we have collaborated at every level -- the hospital, CDC, Texas Department of State Health Services, Dallas County and the City of Dallas Mayor's office. Our collaboration will continue, and we will share what we have learned so that all health systems around the country are better prepared to meet this global health crisis."
(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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