General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: If the CDC's Ebola guidance and protocols for healthcare workers are [View all]lapislzi
(5,762 posts)It is possible, likely, even, that given what we *don't* know about ebola, that the CDC protocols are inadequate and should be enhanced. That's a real possibility, for medical and public health minds to consider and act on.
It is equally possible that one or more health care professionals can and will make mistakes with their PPE during this outbreak. We've seen it several times in both western and the developing world. Not everyone does it perfectly every time, no matter what. The stressors on health care professionals are myriad--including being terrified of a deadly disease.
I doubt that health care professionals deliberately cut corners, especially where their personal safety is concerned. But, when you look at chronic understaffing and other problems plaguing a for profit health care system (unique in the developed world), it's easy to appreciate how a simple misstep, combined with possibly inadequate protocols, can result in disaster, disease, and death.
By all means expand and improve the protocols if that is what is required. But the protocols are meaningless if health care professionals are unable to put them into full effect due to lack of training, overwork, or other factors.