Rochester Regional Health System (Rochester Regional) has established a system-wide Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) preparedness and response plan to ensure the safety of our employees, patients and the community at large.

Since early August, Rochester Regional has been proactively planning for the potential exposure to EVD in the U.S., and has made significant progress toward implementing the 20-point EVD Preparedness Plan mandate issued last week by the New York State Department of Health.

Proactive screening and protection protocols are in place at all points of entry into Rochester Regional Health System, including hospitals, medical and diagnostic offices to promptly identify patients who have traveled from affected West African countries or who have potentially been exposed to Ebola cases as well as screen for symptoms. For any suspected case, an immediate protective equipment and isolation protocol are in place.

An internal web site has been created for continued employee communication and education that includes the comprehensive readiness protocols in place at Rochester Regional as well as other EVD resources, communication updates, FAQs, and training materials.

Training in appropriate personal protective equipment use has been completed for all Emergency Department providers. Development of a specialized Ebola Response Team, consisting of clinical staff trained in advanced care of a person under investigation for Ebola, or a confirmed case of the disease, is underway.

Rochester Regional is collaborating with community partners to develop the community preparedness processes including transport protocols for a diagnosed patient to designated regional Ebola centers at Strong Memorial Center here in Rochester, and Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, NY.

Rochester Regional will continue to work with the Department of Health and CDC to incorporate any new guidelines to ensure we respond using best practice recommendations and can protect our employees, patients and our community from any possible exposure.

Dr. Robert Mayo
Chief Medical Officer
Rochester Regional Health System