In Brief: Cedars-Sinai Receives Ebola Treatment Center Designation

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles has been named an Ebola treatment center by the California Department of Public Health.

The CDPH has given Cedars-Sinai a $3.25 million federal grant to purchase equipment to support its work as an Ebola treatment center.

Cedars-Sinai will serve as a regional treatment center for potential future victims of Ebola, receiving patients from the western U.S. and Pacific territories within eight hours of notice.

“We are honored to take on this important leadership role in the nation’s healthcare system,” said Cedars-Sinai Chief Executive Officer Tom Priselac. “Doing so is consistent with our mission and commitment to the community and beyond in light of our role as a national leader providing the most advanced treatments to acutely ill patients with complex medical conditions from California and across America.”

Ebola, an infectious and often deadly disease that originated in West Africa, has had limited penetration in the U.S. Two workers at a Dallas hospital who treated an Ebola victim who contracted the disease in Africa were infected in 2014, but later recovered. A New York City physician contracted the disease while volunteering in Guinea for Doctors Without Borders, but also recovered.

Hospitals that are successful in treating Ebola patients have to be able to isolate patients with specialized treatment rooms, HVAC systems and medical equipment. Statewide, there are nine hospitals equipped to handle Ebola patients. Aside from Cedars, the other hospitals are either part of the University of California or Kaiser Permanente systems.