Arizona hospitals named Ebola treatment centers by state
Dec 4, 2014, 3:45 PM | Updated: 3:45 pm
PHOENIX — Two Arizona hospitals have been selected as an Ebola treatment center by the state.
The University of Arizona Medical Center in Tucson and the Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix were up for consideration by state health officials and both were selected.
“Even though the likelihood of us seeing an Ebola patient is remote, we are working every day to be ready for that possibility,” Dr. Sean Elliott with UA said. “Our responsibility for the health and safety of our patients, our health-care workers and the public at large is uppermost in all our minds.”
The Maricopa Medical Center dealt with a suspected case of Ebola last Friday when a Phoenix man became ill just hours after returning to the Valley from West Africa.
Tests showed the 32-year-old was negative for Ebola. Christ said the response was fantastic.
“It followed our plan. EMS responded appropriately. The hospital was ready to accept the patient. It went really well.”
Arizona did not make the initial list of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ 35 Ebola treatment centers.
KTAR’s Jim Cross contributed to this report.
