A Dallas Nurse, Briana Aguirre spoke with NBC’s Matt Lauer about the lack of health precautions at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital.
Aguirre, never came into direct contact with Duncan, but did care for Nina Pham. Pham, was the first healthcare worker to contract Ebola after assisting Thomas Eric Duncan. She is being transferred to a hospital in Maryland this week. Amber Vinson, who also cared for Duncan is being transferred to Emory Hospital in Atlanta for further treatment. She was self-monitoring when she reported a low-grade fever; She is the second healthcare worker to be diagnosed with the virus.
Aguirre said, Duncan was initially put in a room with seven other patients. It took the hospital three hours to contact the CDC. “I would not go to that hospital if I was sick with Ebola. I’d avoid Texas Presbyterian Hospital if I got Ebola. I feel that I would go there and contract Ebola.” Although the hospital said they followed CDC protocol infection control policies were initially low.
Aguirre, complained to infectious disease nurses and the CDC, “I threw a fit.” Her neck was uncovered, allowing anything to get into her face or mouth. The nurses at Texas Presbyterian were told to wear three pairs of booties and two pairs of gloves, however their necks were totally exposed.
The nurse supervisor tried to get Duncan into isolation but was met with resistance by hospital officials. The healthcare workers who took care of Duncan attempted to exemplify good infection control but there was no proper equipment.
–Sandy Somers, Executive Director of the Truth about Nursing.
There is talk of nurses just walking out of the hospital reported CNN’s, Brooke Baldwin. Amongst the atmosphere of fear the beds at Texas health Presbyterian are less than half full. Residents of the city are afraid to go there.
“We made mistakes, we are deeply sorry.” -Texas health Presbyterian.
Photo Via KXAN
