Digestive Health Associates

Southwest Endoscopy Center

Ebola
The evaluation and management of Ebola virus infection is outside the scope of care provided at Digestive Health and the Southwest Endoscopy Center. 

Do not come to this facility if you believe that you may have an Ebola infection.



Emergency transportation to Mercy Regional Medical Center
Individuals who suspect that they may have an Ebola infection, are acutely ill and require emergency transportation to the hospital should call 911 and notify the EMS dispatch team that they may have Ebola.
  
Nonemergency transportation to Mercy Regional Medical Center
Individuals who suspect that they may have an Ebola infection and who are medically stable should if possible use private transportation to Mercy Regional Medical Center's Emergency Department, park in the ambulance bay, remain in their vehicle, and notify the Emergency Department staff at 970.764.2100 by telephone of their arrival.

Early recognition of Ebola is important for providing appropriate patient care and preventing the spread of infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and CDPHE recommend that health care providers:

  • Ask
    • All patients if they have traveled to Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia or Mali within 21 days.
    • About symptoms consistent with Ebola Virus Disease (see symptoms below)
    • Everyone, every time
  • Isolate
    • If both criteria are met, isolate the patient in a single patient room (with private bathroom) with door closed.
  • Call
    • Call hospital leadership (Mercy Regional Medical Center Emergency Department 970.764.2100, and
    • Call CDPHE at (303) 692-2700 (evenings and weekends: (303) 370-9395). Also notify CDPHE of any patients reporting exposure to Ebola, even if they have no symptoms.

The CDC issued more stringent guidelines on Monday, Oct. 19, directing medical teams to wear protective gear that leaves no skin or hair exposed. Click here to read those guidelines.


Signs and symptoms of Ebola

  • Fever (greater than 38.6°C or 101.5°F)
  • Severe headache
  • Muscle pain
  • Weakness
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal (stomach) pain
  • Unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding or bruising)