DHEC and MUSC address Ebola concerns and Prep in SC

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– “We are going to see more cases in the United States, but we are going to do everything we can to contain those cases,” said Catherine Templeton, Executive Director of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Thursday, Templeton joined Medical University of South Carolina staff to discuss the fight against Ebola. “We have this, we have a robust, trained, emergency management system that can really work to contain it,” said Templeton MUSC officials say they are ready to take an Ebola patient today. In the event an Ebola patient arrives in South Carolina, a trauma unit at MUSC will be used. It is described as a small unit and only a specialized team will be allowed to go in or treat the patient. Members of the team will also have to wear protective, head-to-toe gear and follow protocol for putting it on and taking it off. “We have agreed to be a volunteer, regional referral system here at Palmetto Health Richland for any Ebola cases,” said Dr. Steve Shelton, Medical Director for Emergency Preparedness at Palmetto Health Richland. Here in the Midlands, physicians at Palmetto Health are also joining the Ebola conversation. “We’ve purchased the proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) to make sure we’re meeting the CDC’s guidelines on that. We’re actively refreshing staff on the training and droplets and contact precautions,” said Dr. Shelton Templeton says the state is trying to stay five steps ahead. “There’s not evidence that the disease is more deadly, it’s that more people have it over there and they’re just having to deal with more people. I think that the protocols, such as they were, are broken,” said Templeton when discussing the situation in West Africa.