[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Medical Call Tests Infectious Disease Procedures

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Battalion Chief John Metz
Duty PIO Pager 573-441-6608 (For Active Emergency Incidents - Leave detailed message 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.)
Office 573-874-7644 (M-F, 8-5)


Medical Call Tests Infectious Disease Procedures

COLUMBIA, MO (November 12, 2014) - At 3:53 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 the Columbia Fire Department and Boone Hospital Ambulance responded to a reported “sick person” in the 500 block of Columbia Drive. The 9-1-1 caller did not speak English and was unable to provide any additional information.

Boone Hospital Ambulance arrived at 3:58 p.m. and encountered a patient and family that did not speak English but was able to convey that the patient had very recently been in Africa. Based on the patient’s medical symptoms and unclear recent travel history, and out of an abundance of caution, the ambulance crew initiated the infectious disease protocol.

Attempts to use a language translation service initially were unsuccessful. However, while preparing to transport the patient, personnel using the translation service were able to determine that the patient’s recent travels had not taken him to West Africa or any other country where Ebola has been reported. Based on this information, the incident was downgraded to a standard medical emergency.

“Tonight, multiple agencies were involved in putting our infections disease protocols into action. Fortunately, it was a false alarm but it showed us that planning, preparing, and practicing paid off” said Battalion Chief John Metz. “We are more prepared every day” Metz said.

Six fire apparatus and an ambulance responded to the incident. Crews were on the scene for approximately ninety minutes. 



 -30- 

______________________________________________________

You have received this message because you subscribe to the City of Columbia's Web Mail service. To view linked material click on provided links or copy and paste them into your browser's address menu.
______________________________________________________

Archived press releases can be viewed online at:
http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Public_Comm/Public_Information/Press_Releases/
______________________________________________________

If you would like to stop receiving messages, modify list options, or subscribe to other lists visit the Web Mail section of our Web site and follow the instructions provided. 

http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Web_Mail/