Michael D Owens
Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Virginia
Title: Manage the next epidemic based on lessons learned from the Ebola outbreak in Western Africa
Biography
Biography: Michael D Owens
Abstract
Description of the experience; This Ebola discussion will include lessons learned from the initial phases of engagement and global monitoring to first-hand experience as a Medical Coordinator of an Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) in Monrovia, Liberia during the height of the outbreak to the eventual decline, and containment of the virus. These experiences include the role of a disaster planner during the initial spread, student going through the education and training process, acting Medical Coordinator and provider in the ETU, member of the laboratory Cluster in Monrovia, and eventual trainer for local providers and other health care and public health officials.
Lessons Learned; The development and spread of the Ebola virus provides lessons learned including sending an effective public health message, how to coordinate an effective local and global response, how to manage an Ebola patient, how to run an effective and safe Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU), the complexities of coordinating a global community, and the current development and training of Rapid Response Teams. This presentation is based on experiences that included initial protocol development, training, policy creation, and two months as Medical a Coordinator of an ETU in Monrovia, Liberia during the height and decline of the outbreak.
Learning Objectives
- How to send an effective public health message
- Coordination of local and global response resources
- How to manage suspected and confirmed highly infectious cases
- Review some of the challenges and problems identified that impacted response and care but never received public attention – i.e. the inside story.