July 11, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Mock Ebola Exercise To Be Held At UCLA Medical Center In Westwood:

Staff at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center plan to hold a “big exercise” Friday on diagnosing and treating patients with Ebola virus symptoms, according to UCLA’s medical director of clinical epidemiology and infection prevention.

“The big, mock-up walk-through” will be observed by Los Angeles County health department officials, said Dr. Zachary Rubin.

The case of a Dallas nurse who contracted the disease while treating a now-deceased Ebola patient “obviously accelerated everybody’s time frame” in preparing to combat the deadly virus, Rubin said.

UCLA’s “multi-pronged” approach includes protocols for transporting patients through the hospital, disposing of trash and waste, dedicating equipment — such as ventilators and X-ray machines — for Ebola patient use only, setting up a mobile laboratory, acquiring specialized personal protective equipment and staff training.

UCLA Health System also adjusted its electronic medical record-keeping to alert staff to patients who recently traveled to high-risk areas. A red bar will appear over the medical charts of such patients. Blood analysis of patients suspected of having Ebola will be conducted in the mobile lab and not the medical center’s regular laboratory.

“Blood is highly infectious,” Rubin said. “We don’t want to risk contaminating the entire (healthcare) system.”

Doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and other personnel in contact with Ebola patients will be equipped with respirators and full-body suits that include hoods and booties.

Because such protective suits can become hot and uncomfortable when worn for an extended period of time, fluid-resistant gowns will also be provided, Rubin said.

The specialized equipment will be available in the emergency departments at UCLA’s Westwood and Santa Monica medical centers, though the Westwood facility is where a patient suspected of Ebola would be brought.

Rubin said the “minimum number of people we need to take care of” Ebola patients will be used in an effort to to limit possible staff exposure to the virus, according to Rubin.

Preparing for patients stricken with Ebola has “involved a significant amount of time and thought,” Rubin said, and training for such cases is continuing.

Officials will have a better idea of how well the medical center is prepared for Ebola following the “big exercise” — as Rubin put it — in Westwood on Friday.

in News
<>Related Posts

Father-Daughter Authors to Host Book Signing to Aid Fire-Affected Women

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

Ten percent of proceeds from book and art sales will benefit the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund, a nonprofit initiative created...

Metro Reports Crime Drop, Higher Rider Satisfaction, and Progress on Major Projects

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The Authority said the drop in violent incidents—down to the lowest level since May 2019—coincided with more uniformed personnel and...

Santa Monica Joins Regional Lawsuit to Halt Unconstitutional ICE Raids

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The motion to intervene seeks to ensure that Santa Monica and other plaintiff-intervenors can advocate for their residents’ rights in...

Promenade Restaurant Introduces Lunch Menu Set at $18 Per Person

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The fixed $18 price point targets commuters and those seeking a power lunch or a change of scenery The restaurant...

Santa Monica Council Votes in Support of Park-Centric Future at Airport Site

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The decision followed a contentious meeting with over 140 public speakers and more than 1,000 emails received by the council...

Housing for Health Chief Appointed to Lead Unified Homeless Services Department

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

Veteran Housing Advocate to Oversee Streamlined LA County Services The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday confirmed the...

‘Adoptapalooza’ Pet Adoption Festival Returns to Main Street This Weekend

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The free, family-friendly event aims to connect adoptable animals with new owners Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center will host...

Virtual Town Hall to Discuss Proposed Resilient Rebuilding Authority

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The agency, to be run by political appointees, would manage permitting, development, zoning, and funding, modeled after post-disaster recoveries Los...

New Agenda Coaching: Changing Lives in LA

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Students Work Toward Applied Success with Executive Function Coaching Services The demands of daily routines and studies sometimes bear weight...

Saint Monica Prep Students Win Award for Anti-Street Racing PSA Video

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The winning public service announcement, titled “Not Worth It,” was highlighted in a post on X by @LADOTofficial  Students from...

Anti-Drunk Driving Resolution Introduced as City Council Honors Late Palisades Teen Killed in Crash

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Levi, who was set to attend the University of Virginia this fall, was killed by a drunk driver on May...

Free and Reduced Price School Meals Available for Eligible Families in Santa Monica-Malibu District

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Parents in Need Encouraged to Apply, SMMUSD Commits to Nutritious, Accessible Meals By Brandyi Phillips, SMMUSD Chief Communications Officer Santa...

Big Blue Bus to Raise Fares for First Time in Nearly a Decade

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The fare increase aims to offset rising costs for fuel, utilities, and supplies, according to the agency. The Santa Monica...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

Santa Monica’s 150th Anniversary to be Celebrated with Vibrant State of the City Event

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, beach chairs, and picnics to enjoy during the performances Santa Monica will mark its...