Doctors Reassure Freeholders Morris Hospitals Prepared for Ebola

Medical professionals from Morris County’s two largest hospital systems, Morristown Medical Center and St. Clare’s Health System, told the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders this week that their facilities and employees are prepared to treat a patient with Ebola.

Dr. Joel Maslow of MMC and Dr. Donald Allegra, Dr. Alma Ratcliffe, and Norma Atienza, RN, of Saint Clare’s told the governing body that their facilities have enhanced screening processes of people coming in for treatment so the deadly disease does not go unnoticed, according to a statement from the county.

Allegra told the board patients are being asked about their travel history if they have symptoms or signs of Ebola. He also said his hospital has been preparing for months since the western Africa-based disease began to spread, citing many travelers entering Newark Liberty and JFK international airports.

Dr. Ratcliffe explained to the board that medical professionals are now working in “buddy systems” to help each other put on protective suits when dealing with a patient who may have Ebola.

Hospital officials are also conducting daily teleconference calls to further educate and update staff members.

In an interview with Patch last week, Allegra said he believed the disease’s outbreak won’t have all that much bearing on the United States, and that it has been hyped up by the media.

On Thursday it was confirmed a doctor from New York City tested positive for Ebola after a trip to western Africa where he served with Doctors Without Borders.