SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – Nearly 40 area first responders gathered in a Regional West Medical Center meeting room and tuned in via video conferencing Wednesday evening to learn the latest safety information related to the care of patients with Ebola.

The Ebola safety update was coordinated by staff from Regional West Health Services and Valley Ambulance Services to inform, educate, and advise regional EMS providers and first responders about the safety precautions that must be taken when in contact with a patient suspected of having Ebola.

The three-hour training session included video presentations about Ebola symptoms, safety precautions, and putting on and taking off personal protective equipment, as well as a panel discussion and question and answer session.

Panelists from Regional West included Amanda Sabo, RN, BSN, Infection Prevention Specialist; David Edwards, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator; Nancy Hicks-Arsenault, RN, BSN, Emergency Department director; and David Cornutt, MD, Director of Emergency Medicine. Bill Wineman, Scotts Bluff County Health Department director was also a panelist. Randy Meininger, president/owner and Shawn Baumgartner, operations manager of Valley Ambulance Services, Inc., served as moderators.

Regional West Health Services, Scottsbluff, Neb., is the parent company for Regional West Medical Center, Regional West Physicians Clinic and Regional West Garden County. These organizations, with over 1,900 employees, provide comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, the Regional West family of health care organizations offers care that spans more than 30 medical specialties.