Tuesday, November 18, 2014
As one of the first tangible community benefits of the creation of the new Beaumont Health organization, this new interactive resource is a tool for residents to learn more about the origins and prevention of infectious diseases. The webpage focuses on the overall safety and well-being of patients and hospital staff members, providing up-to-date information about the precautions to take in order to prevent the spread of germs, like getting vaccinated and frequent hand washing.
The page also highlights Beaumont Health’s efforts to prepare to handle any patients who may present with Ebola-like symptoms.
“Although the risk of an Ebola outbreak in the United States is extremely low, we are thoughtfully, diligently and carefully preparing our response to a potential Ebola patient,” says Maureen D’Agostino, senior vice president, Quality, Service and Performance Excellence, Oakwood Healthcare and chair of Beaumont Health’s Ebola Steering Committee. “Our top priority is maintaining a safe environment for our staff and the patients and communities we serve. That’s why we felt a page like this was important.”
In addition to influenza and Ebola, the Web page includes background information, facts from physicians, and news articles, videos and photos featuring experts from Beaumont Health offering health precautions and practical advice for staying healthy. The site also includes links to important information from trusted local, state and national health partners, including the Michigan Department of Community Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services among others.