Duke Responds to False Alarm on Ebola Patient

The following message was distributed to all Duke Regional Hospital staff following a "false alarm" of an Ebola patient Wednesday night. 

To: DRH Employees, Medical Staff and VolunteersFrom: Katie Galbraith, MBA, President

Last evening a patient presenting to the emergency room at Duke Regional Hospital resulted in a false alarm related to the family’s concern about a potential Ebola exposure. Using the screening process and protocols we have put in place to identify patients who may have been exposed to Ebola, our Infectious Disease and Infection Prevention teams quickly confirmed this was a false alarm. There was no risk to patients or staff at DRH, and the hospital, including the Emergency Department, did not experience any disruption of service and continues to operate normally today.

Emergency Department, Environmental Services, Infection Prevention and Control and Security Services staff responded beautifully. The quick rule out and determination of a false alarm show the screening process and protocols were followed appropriately and were effective.

We are monitoring the status of the Ebola outbreak as it changes daily, and will share more information soon.