Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Epicenter Of Nation's Ebola Crisis
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - In a matter of weeks, Dallas' Texas Health Presbyterian hospital has become the epicenter of the nation's Ebola crisis. A second nurse, 26-year-old Amber Vinson, was infected after treating patient Thomas Duncan.
"Our focus at this time, first and foremost, is making sure our current patients receive the care they need," says the hospital's Senior Vice President, Dr. Daniel Varga. "That will remain our focus."
But, how many patients are continuing to access care at the hospital that locals call 'Presby'? In spite of repeated and profuse assurances that the virus would be contained, news of additional cases is also spreading fear.
"I had a patient this morning that needed some IV fluids," says Jeff Goudreau, MD, "she didn't want to go."
Dr. Jeff Goudreau says as a scientist, he understands how Ebola is transmitted and would not hesitate to access care at Presbyterian. However, he says he has been unable to convince many of his patients.
Complete Coverage Of Ebola In North Texas
"When I get patients that I have to send to a specialist and they don't want to go on campus, or I have a patient that needs to go to an X-ray center and they don't want to go on campus there, it becomes a problems."
So far, hospital officials have not responded to questions about how day to day operations are being impacted by the crisis. But, we know that emergency room traffic to the North Dallas hospital has been diverted since Sunday.
"After several weeks of great emotion and great effort, our team's spirit is tried and tested," said Dr. Varga earlier today.
And still, the fear spreads.
"Oh, it is. Yeah," says Dr. Goudreau. "And that's frustrating because that creates problems in and of itself because if you're sick, you need your emotions to be under control so you can fight off these infections."
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