The Biocontainment Unit (BCU) at Denver Health is dedicated to treating and caring for adult and pediatric patients with highly infectious diseases including Ebola. The BCU is staffed by a diverse and committed group of medical doctors (MDs), registered nurses (RNs), respiratory therapists (RTs), medical laboratory scientists (MLS), paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and other healthcare professionals who are ready to identify, isolate, transport, treat and care for patients. The care team is called the High Risk Infection Team. The unit is a fully functional and inclusive space dedicated to caring for patients in an area isolated from the rest of the hospital and houses a Biosafety Level 3 lab that allows for comprehensive testing.
Denver Health is one of ten regional facilities in the United States designated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a Regional Ebola and Special Pathogen Treatment Center. Denver Health is prepared and equipped to care for patients with suspected or confirmed cases of Ebola and other special pathogens. There have been no confirmed Ebola cases at Denver Health, but since 2015, the hospital has evaluated and treated two suspected cases. Denver Health is part of a national network of health care providers, hospitals and public health agencies that collaborate to identify the best clinical, logistical and public health practices for identified and emerging special pathogens.
Conditions & Treatments:
Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), & Lassa Hemorrhagic Fever.