re: A Dallas hospital worker now has Ebola

quote:

---

Ebola primed to go airborne-Purdue professor

At Purdue University, Dr. David Sanders has been studying the virus since 2003 – specifically how this particular Zaire strain of Ebola enters human cells.


"It can enter the lung from the airway side," Sanders said. "So this argues that Ebola is primed to have respiratory transmission.

---

Purdue researcher: Ebola virus could spread by air

I like this article as well with the same guys research and agree with his sentiment that the CDC should make the public aware to take into account all possibilities of the virus. However based on his quotes it seems like he still doesn't believe that it will go airborne....just that there is a possibility which I think most people agree on.

quote:

---

I have no idea, but if you think it is relevant, please tell us more.

---

I have mentioned it a couple times. There is standard hopital PPE and CDC hot zone looking PPE.

The standard hospital PPE I have ever used since 1998 never covered my legs. The scrubs usually worn are your own which you take home and wash at end of day like anyone else. Only OR people leave their scrubs at the door and change into street clothes. But this PPE is essentially a surgical mask and a plastic gown with gloves over sleeves. No real head cover. Even a surgical cap is not going to prevent fluid transmission. Soiled hands would soak through to hair.

CDC PPE is a hazmat suit essentially. And I assume the decontamination process is much more regimented.

I know what they use.

I bet that is not what Dallas nurse had on.

quote:

---

oh excuse me. So sorry.

---

Sorry setting up pic of what my knowledge of PPE is.

I did sound like a total dick.

Give me a second.

quote:

---

Did nobody read the article? The infected employee breached protocol. Not sure of the details of what exactly that means, but it would seem the fault is on the person, not the precautions established.

---

It has not been established that the nurse breached protocol, only assumed. Someone else could have breached protocol and the nurse then may have handled the contaminated object...there could have been a porous area on the suit or a pinhole in a glove. I have spent years as an ER nurse - this is not the typical PPE or situation. Special centers need to be set up to deal with these patients - not the local hospital.

quote:

---

have spent years as an ER nurse - this is not the typical PPE or situation. Special centers need to be set up to deal with these patients - not the local hospital.

---

See my above link. Is that not what you have always worn?

ER since 2000 here. That is all I have worn.

We do not.

The nurse infected doesn't know either.

quote:

---

quote: have spent years as an ER nurse - this is not the typical PPE or situation. Special centers need to be set up to deal with these patients - not the local hospital. See my above link. Is that not what you have always worn? ER since 2000 here. That is all I have worn.

---

Yes, exactly. The type of gear that's needed is not just readily available to healthcare workers.

quote:

---

It could really be as easy as a nurse taking a glove off incorrectly.

---

Like putting one glove in your mouth while taking the other glove off? Are they really that stupid? Otherwise, I thought an entry point would be necessary for transmission, like a cut on the hand?