Ebola has been capturing headlines around the world. From controversies surrounding the treatment of Thomas Eric Duncan--the first person diagnosed with Ebola in the U.S.--to officials doubling down on precautions over the disease, here are the top headlines on the issue from this week's FierceHealth's newsletters.
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Texas Health backtracks on statement that Epic EHR led to release of Ebola patient
An electronic health record flaw did not account for the misdiagnosis of an Ebola patient at the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, according to a clarification by the hospital published Friday afternoon. The hospital uses Wisconsin-based Epic as its EHR vendor. Article -
Commentary: Texas Health's retraction about EHR flaw may set a dangerous precedent
Is anyone else about Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas' actions these past few days? And I'm not just talking about the clearly troublesome misdiagnosis of Thomas Eric Duncan, who was sent home from the hospital's emergency department despite having the Ebola virus, and ultimately died from the disease. I also am referring to the hospital's waffling of the mistake. Commentary -
Providers, officials double down on Ebola precautions
In the wake of the death of the patient with the first case of Ebola in the United States and the errors that led to his initial misdiagnosis, healthcare providers and other institutions plan to step up their safeguards against the virus. Public health officials this week pledged to go further in screening airline passengers entering the country and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggested numerous ideas for screening measures. Article -
Ebola outbreak could cost affected nations $32B
The Ebola outbreak in West Africa could come with a $32 billion price tag, according to a report from the World Bank. If the spread of the virus continues, it will inflict massive economic damage on Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and their neighbors, according to the report. Article -
Nurses union: U.S. hospitals not prepared for Ebola patients
As international agencies fight to contain the world's worst Ebola outbreak in nearly 40 years amid reports that a Dallas hospital misdiagnosed a patient infected with the deadly virus, a survey of registered nurses reveals most believe their hospitals aren't prepared to handle patients with Ebola. Article