No Ebola case at Salem Hospital

The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed that a patient referred to Salem Hospital Emergency Department does not meet the exposure criteria for Ebola and will not be tested.

Salem Hospital has confirmed an alternate condition that supports the symptoms. Salem Hospital will continue to treat the patient and return to normal infection prevention protocols.

"We are very pleased with this outcome, as is the patient. All necessary precautions were taken to ensure the safety and well-being of patients, visitors, volunteers and staff," said Dr. Cort Garrison, Chief Medical Officer. "We have emergency preparedness plans in place, and began closely monitoring the Ebola situation in August using CDC guidelines and resources."

The Oregon Department of Health initially made the recommendation that the patient did not meet the exposure criteria for Ebola and subsequently confirmed that with the CDC. In the meantime, Salem Hospital activated its emergency operations plan, set up an incident command team and isolated the patient according to Salem Health Ebola response protocols.

Salem Health is comprised of Salem Hospital, West Valley Hospital, Willamette Health Partners and other affiliated health care organizations offering exceptional care to people in and around Oregon's mid-Willamette Valley. Salem Hospital received the Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence(TM) from Healthgrades in 2014, placing it among the top 5 percent of more than 4,500 hospitals nationwide. "Like" us on facebook.com/salemhealth; follow us on Twitter: @salemhealth; and view us at youtube.com/salemhealth.