Henry County Healthcare Emergency Management Coalition reconvened at Henry
County Hospital on Thursday, November 5th in order to review emergency
preparedness plans regarding Henry County's Ebola response. Each agency
continues to work on individual protocols and communications to best ensure
safety for residents and staff.
Henry County Hospital hosted an Ebola preparedness drill in October at
the request of Governor Kasich and the Ohio Hospital Association for all
Ohio hospitals., The drill was to be completed within two days of the
request for Ohio hospitals to ensure that staff was ready to respond if
an Ebola case presented. The Hospital sent a subsequent request to local
health and emergency management agencies. Henry County Health Department,
Henry County Sherriff's Office, Henry County EMA ,Napoleon Police
Department, Napoleon Fire Department, and Henry County Family Physicians
participated in the drill.
"I feel very fortunate to live in a community where agencies work
closely with one another to ensure the safety of residents," stated
Kim Bordenkircher, chief executive officer at Henry County Hospital. "The
collaboration during the multidisciplinary drill prompted improved communication
and preparedness countywide."
Henry County Hospital has prepared safety kits for staff, designated an
isolated area for a patient presenting with Ebola symptoms if the need
arises and is providing Emergency Care Services staff education on how
to put on and remove personal protective equipment appropriately.
Signs hang on all entrances directing visitors with fever and flu like
symptoms to not visit patients in Henry County Hospital. Also included
on the sign are directions for someone who has traveled to the West African
region OR believes they have been in close contact with someone who has
been exposed to the Ebola virus to enter through Emergency Care Services.
Henry County Hospital continues to participate in weekly regional phone
calls, statewide conference calls and national conference calls as they
are available. The Hospital continues to review and revise response plans
as new information becomes available.