Research Proposal on Ebola Virus Disease
Arvaya Y. Corbins
Bryant & Stratton College
Research and Writing III
11/17/2014

Abstract
America may not be totally prepared for what the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is currently encountering. The author examines the pandemic of diseases such as Ebola, Enterovirus, and MRSA suggesting possible ways of containment to prevent further spreading in hospitals, as well as proper diagnosis, and handling. This information was obtained through interviews with the Infection Prevention Director of Columbia St. Mary’s via Fox 6 News. Information was also obtained, evaluated, and studied from media outlets such as the Journal Sentinel, research website, Center for Disease Control and Prevention and an Ebola symposium. Lastly, the author expresses the importance of clear and concise communication between all Administration and Staff at Columbia St. Mary’s. This communication stems anywhere from clear and plain signage on doors, and entry ways of Emergency Departments, Urgent Care facilities, and Physicians’ offices. This signage communication will help an individual detect any flu like symptoms associated with the Ebola virus disease (EVD), so the proper steps can be taken immediately to isolate the disease itself.

Introduction This research proposal is intended to make clear to the reader the signs, symptoms, and severity of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). In addition to this, incorporating the importance of proper protection, such as hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE), and what health care facilities are doing to enforce this. This pandemic disease has not only taken over areas of West Africa, but ironically has manifested itself in several of American people. More importantly with this being a deadly disease, how can Ebola grab a hold of several American people and they be cured, but not those over in West Africa. Are the West Africans being taught the same protection and prevention measures as Americans? Ebola in West Africa is as prevalent as the common cold, and more deadly than cancer. On October 20, 2014 Liberian doctor, Dr. Melvin Korkor held an interview with CNN investigating the four individuals that contracted the EVD in America, and indeed survived. However, research shows in this same interview there were two individuals that did not survive and received the same treatment. Incidentally, there are some areas of research that show the number of victims claimed by the disease to be astounding. On the other hand the recoveries of the African people seem to show a grave dissatisfaction being done through the world of medicine. An Ebola Symposium held October 14, 2014 at the Italian Community Center, teaches us about the disease, how it is contracted, and cured if detected immediately. This symposium included speaker Steven Bennett, PhD, Director of National Bio Surveillance Integration Center. Steven Bennett presented facts on Ebola, particularly the first outbreak being in 1976, in an area not heavily populated. The initial transmission of Ebola to humans is from the fruit bat. Because the disease lives in the fruit bat for long lengths of time, it never renders the bat ill. Under those circumstances, the fruit bat will infect bush meat, and in turn transmit the disease to humans by way of slaughtering of bush meat. Bennett and the National Bio Surveillance Integration Center are diligently working with the CDC to keep all information current. Infection prevention is a very large piece of the puzzle when it comes to Ebola, or any airborne or pandemic diseases. Gwen Borlaug, MPH Infection Control Epidemiologist for the Division of Public Health (DPH) gave profound information on the prevention of the spreading of this disease. Borlaug explains that research with the CDC on infection prevention is changing every day, but informed the Symposium attendees of the best safeguard against the disease. With this in mind, it is being suggested that health care facilities designate a donning and doffing isolation room, and implement the BUDDY system. Furthermore, using a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA registered hospital disinfectant is strongly suggested. More importantly, the CDC is now reconsidering the process of taking off Personal Protection Equipment, PPE due to the more current infection of the nurse in Texas.

Literature Review
Understanding the disease itself, Ebola presents a mystery to some, and a life sentencing to others. There is a plethora of information on Ebola including statistical data from the countries in West Africa that suffer the most, and interviews of physicians that were infected by the disease, but have fully recovered. We look to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for guidance in dealing with this pandemic disease hoping that they are able to shed light on the question that is on Americas mind, “If there is no cure for Ebola, why are some walking away healthy and others are dying the most untimely death.” This has led the American people to wonder how can something so terrifying, that has been isolated to third world countries for so many years, find its way to Texas, and infiltrate into someone that was once a healthy vibrant individual.

As of September 30, 2014 (CDC, 2014, p2) there was an actual confirmed case of Ebola by the CDC, which involved an individual traveling from West Africa to Texas. The CDC is an ever-changing but very reliable source when it comes to America’s health. When doing research on the topic of Ebola, it is quite natural to inquire as to what the CDC has to say. Using the CDC as a point or source of reference will give the audience the most current and accurate information needed to remain on top of the disease. The Center for Disease Control, or the CDC as we know it, continues to update their site, and the content within it, on a daily basis. The CDC ensures that all health care facilities, media, and people in the public arena are up to date with policies and procedures when dealing with a pandemic disease. Considering this is a government entity, it is well respected and trusted as a source to pull and verify pertinent information from.

As the average American wishes to gain knowledge about Ebola, its causes and symptoms, they will usually turn to the internet. One of the top government sites, WWW.CDC.gov will retrieved the website for the CDC, and its most up to date hourly information. The information that the CDC is delivering to America indeed shares what they believe are facts and truths and usually peer involved. The information is developed by Infectious Disease physicians, Scientist, other government agencies that are educated and licensed in the field. The CDC in Texas has worked in partnership with the Texas Health Department, several media outlets in Texas, as well as the CDC Director Blog to keep the public informed of the first Ebola patient in 2014.

There are also the local media outlets that make an informative and trustworthy source which is able to delivery much needed information. One source to obtain information from would be the local news correspondence, such as Fox6now.com. There is an article pulled through this media outlet, which contains an interview and research conducted by CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent, and physicians. This article researches a Liberian doctor, and four factors that may have contributed to him surviving the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). The interview targets the different doctors, nurse’s aide, and other health care personnel that actually contracted the EVD, but were treated and lived.

The new media Fox 6 has also touched on the public’s concerns of why two other patents, Thomas Duncan and Miguel Pajares contracted the disease, were treated, but did not survive. The media is a very good source when researching documentation, and gathering information from opinions, facts, and sometimes even myths. The CNN article touches on four facts (Cohen, 2014, p1) assisting in the survival rate of the patients listed above. CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent believes that quick re hydration, plasma transfusions, experimental drugs, and early high-quality treatment are the top four reasons that helped the other individuals live. Most of America is more apt to watch a news program, an interview with a physician, or a breaking news event on their television, than they are to read about it. Therefore, the media has to present factual data and truths to the public, because the public, along with every other American trusts the news.

In addition to the CDC and news media winning the race in delivering information to the world, there is the fact filled newspaper, The New York Times. This resource of information is well researched, trustworthy, and documented accordingly. It presents as much detail and information on the subject of Ebola as would a news media source, or a governmental agency. It presents to America graphs and charts on the new Ebola treatment centers in areas such as Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. Research shows in this article the newest cases of Ebola; where they are occurring, and what the United States is doing to ensure that Ebola does not spread.

Methodology

As a result of Ebola information and facts being so wide spread the variety of different resource outlets were readily available. Of course there is the traditional internet research with the CDC made the information readily available and as current as possible. There was also the news media outlet and the print, which would be the Journal Sentinel, who also gave accurate and expeditious information and interviews on the EVD. Consequently, one of these interviews dated October 18, 2014 (Opinion, 2014, p1) demands that the government “Stop politicizing Ebola response; focus on what works.” All of these research resources were great when preparing this document, and they all tied the facts of preparedness, prevention, and protection together. As previously stated and reflecting on the need for firsthand experience and information absorption by myself, attending an Ebola symposium on October 14, 2014 was a must.

This symposium was held at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In attendance were several prominent speakers from different Infection Prevention and Control organizations, as well as many health care workers from hospitals and facilities. The signs and symptoms are all the same in comparison, whether it is taken from the internet or the symposium. What ideas were found to be interesting were the different techniques the health care facilities were using for protection and prevention of a pandemic disease. To put it briefly, anything from PPE, to Tyvek suits and duct tape were taken into consideration. Also, if the additional training they are willing to put the staff through would be financially feasible it is highly recommended by health care administration.

Discussion

Altogether, this research proposal has touched on the facts and discussions on the disease Ebola, its origin, and how to prevent and protect against it. The study has been shown prevalent by facts submitted through the CDC, and Ebola Symposium attended on October 14, 2014, and interviews with physicians performed by Fox6 News. To summarize this research proposal, all the resources used were collected, dissected, and compared among each other. Most of the sources maintained similar informational data on Ebola, whereas others like interviews or the symposium brought forth more tangible evidence. Overall, this research proposal continued to provide up to date information on the disease, its treatment, and what can be done in the health care setting to protect and prevent future transmission.

Resources

Bennett, Steven Phd. (2014, October 14). Ebola Symposium: Origination, signs and symptoms, and treatment.

Borlaug, Gwen. (2014, October 14). Ebola Symposium: Infection prevention, control, and protection. PPE guidelines.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (2014). Cases of Ebola diagnosed in the United States. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/outbreaks/2014-west-africa/united-states-imported-case.html
Cohen, E.,Goodman, A.,Karimi, F.,Shoichet, C.E., (2014, October 20). Four factors that may contribute to surviving Ebola Virus. Retrieved from: http://fox6now.com/2014/10/20/four-factors-that-may-contribute-to-surviving-ebola-virus/
Journal Sentinel, (2014, October 18). Stop politicizing Ebola response; focus on what works. Retrieved from: http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/stop-politicizing-ebola-response-focus-on-what-works-b99373094z1-279666812.html
The New York Times Company, (2014). Ebola Facts: What Is Being Done to Improve Medical Treatment in Africa?. Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/07/31/world/africa/ebola-virus-outbreak-qa.html?_r=0