The information – or, rather, the lack of it – coming from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about Ebola is disappointing to those who attended a medical roundtable convened by U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield Thursday.
“I thought I would come here and hear from medical professionals about what they were doing, working with the CDC, to ensure that protocols are being put in place,” Davis said afterward. “I want to hear back from those who were sitting at the table today until they are comfortable that they have everything they need to care for every possible patient.”
While large Downstate hospitals sent people to the roundtable, smaller hospitals were represented, too. “It’s very unclear of how we would transfer, who would accept the patient from us,” said Jessica Barkley, infection prevention specialist at Carlinville Area Hospital.
“It was my understanding we would call (the Illinois Department of Public Health), and they would assist in that, but there’s no guarantee that someone’s going to accept that patient out of our facility.”
Leaders at the medical school said they can do what they are told, but they are not confident they are being told enough.
