Experts question two-day delay in admitting Texas Ebola patient

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

If you ever wondered what the "best healthcare system in the world" does with its first Ebola patient, here's the answer: It sends him home with a prescription for antibiotics.

Experts question two-day delay in admitting Texas Ebola patient

(Reuters) - The first patient to be diagnosed with Ebola in a U.S. hospital was evaluated initially and turned away, a critical missed opportunity that could result in others being exposed to the deadly virus, infectious disease experts said.

On the patient's first visit to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas last Friday, he walked into the hospital presenting “non-specific symptoms” and was sent home with a prescription for antibiotics, Dr. Edward Goodman, an infectious disease specialist at the hospital, told a news conference on Tuesday.

On the second visit two days later, the patient, who has not been identified, arrived by ambulance, potentially putting at risk the emergency responders who transported the patient that Sunday. They have been quarantined but so far have tested negative for the virus.

For months, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been warning American hospitals that Ebola was just a plane ride away. The CDC has urged hospital emergency department staff to ask patients whether they have recently traveled to Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea, the three countries hardest hit by the worst Ebola outbreak on record.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

And this just in:

Possible second Ebola case in Dallas

Dallas health officials are warning that a second case of Ebola — afflicting someone close to the first patient — is quite likely.

Zachary Thompson, director of Dallas County Health and Human Services, told WFAA on Wednesday morning that all people who have been in close contact with the patient are being monitored.

“Let me be real frank to the Dallas County residents, the fact that we have one confirmed case, there may be another case that is a close associate with this particular patient,” he said. “So this is real. There should be a concern, but it’s contained to the specific family members and close friends at this moment.”

Ebola is not spread easily, it requires close contact with bodily fluids of a person with symptoms.

Public health officials say they are confident they can prevent a widespread outbreak, even if people close to this first patient are at some risk. The patient himself, who arrived in Dallas from Liberia last week, is in isolation at a Dallas hospital.

Maybe if they send that one home, too, we'll have many more soon.

[Darnell 8,478]

oh my, a land rush in Dallas !!!!

[well, usually, after the dead are incinerated]

[decocker 7,198]

sounds about right. antibiotics are our answer for everything. i can't tell you how many times my son has been prescribed antibiotics for a cold or something that could've easily been viral, "just in case".

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

sounds about right. antibiotics are our answer for everything. i can't tell you how many times my son has been prescribed antibiotics for a cold or something that could've easily been viral, "just in case".

Seems that was the least expensive option for this uninsured, no social security number patient who told hospital staff that he was visiting from Liberia.

New details on the first visit to the hospital - this is really disturbing.

DALLAS — The sister of the first Ebola patient diagnosed in the United States says her brother told relatives that he had notified officials the first time he went to the hospital that he was visiting from Liberia.

Mai Wureh says her brother, Thomas Eric Duncan, went to a Dallas emergency room on Friday and they sent him home with antibiotics. He told his sister hospital officials asked for his Social Security number and he said that he didn't have one because he was visiting from Liberia.

In a news conference Wednesday, Dr. Mark Lester confirmed that a nurse asked Duncan on his first visit whether he had been in an area affected by the Ebola outbreak that has killed thousands in West Africa.

......

Duncan was recognized as a possible case of Ebola once he returned to the hospital Sunday and has been under strict isolation since.

Dallas ISD superintendent Mike Miles also revealed that five children from four of the district's campuses were possibly exposed to the virus.

Miles identified the schools as:

• Conrad High School
• Tasby Middle School
• Hotchkiss Elementary School
• Dan D. Rogers Elementary School

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

If you ever wondered what the "best healthcare system in the world" does with its first Ebola patient, here's the answer: It sends him home with a prescription for antibiotics.

In terms of outcomes and treatment, we have the best healthcare system in the world

As a percent of GDp and accessibility we suck, there are other systems that are close, but for a fraction of the cost.

I blame mostly Big Pharma and Insurance. Too many people making money that don't provide health care.

Why is Viagra about 2 buck a pill here and about 35 a pill in the USA.

Why is my Diabetes drug Victoza about 500 bucks a month in the USA, and you need a prescription and if insurance pays anything you need pre-cert, treatment plan.

I walked in off the street yesterday and bought it for 200 dollars USA, no prescription needed. Same company, same manufacture. How can they make money at 200 in the Philippines but have to sell it for 500 in the USA

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

In terms of outcomes and treatment, we have the best healthcare system in the world

Not even close.

Forbes: U.S. Healthcare Ranked Dead Last Compared To 10 Other Countries Edited October 2, 2014 by Mr. Big Dog

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

Holy sheets!! Someone deleted a lot of countries if there's only 11 remaining!!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Its not that surprising that this would happen. The issue is perhaps that more awareness is needed on training medical staff to act on CDC alerts.

These are the initial symptoms of Ebola. Could be anything...

High fever.

Headache.

Joint and muscle aches.

Sore throat.

Weakness.

Stomach pain.

Lack of appetite

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Holy sheets!! Someone deleted a lot of countries if there's only 11 remaining!!

If you look at successful outcomes USA is near or at the top in most categories. Our problem is cost and acessibality

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Holy sheets!! Someone deleted a lot of countries if there's only 11 remaining!!

And? You could add another 100 countries and the US would still lag behind at least these 10.

[decocker 7,198]

Seems that was the least expensive option for this uninsured, no social security number patient who told hospital staff that he was visiting from Liberia.

New details on the first visit to the hospital - this is really disturbing.

that is really discomforting.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Ebola