Exclusive look at Nebraska Medicine’s biocontainment unit in 2015

In 2015, Nebraska Medicine provided KETV an exclusive trip inside the biocontainment unit where a team of well-trained volunteers treated or observed four people during the Ebola outbreak in Uganda in 2014.

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In 2015, Nebraska Medicine provided KETV NewsWatch 7 an exclusive trip inside the biocontainment unit where a team of well-trained volunteers treated or observed four people during the Ebola outbreak in Uganda in 2014.On Friday, CNN reported that a CDC team has been dispatched to meet the passengers from the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship in Nebraska. Passengers are expected to be placed into quarantine there as part of an effort to ensure that the virus does not have a chance to spread, according to CNN. READ MORE: CDC teams will meet Americans on hantavirus-stricken ship at Nebraska quarantine unitThe biocontainment unit was also used during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. You can read our story from the exclusive look in 2015 below.KETV NewsWatch 7’s Jeremy Maskel suited up with the hospital’s team. During his trip, he followed the same strict checklist used by staff to treat patients with Ebola. Skin is covered at all times in the unit and additional layers of gloves are changed with each trip into a biologically-isolated patient room. Boots, gowns, masks and shields are all a part of the process at a minimum, as well.”We try to anticipate the most need that we would have when we go in there,” Nebraska Medicine Respiratory Therapy Coordinator Frank Freihaut said.Doctors and nurses always team up to put on and take off protective equipment, ensuring that no details are overlooked.Chris Dahl, a radiology technician at Nebraska Medicine, takes x-rays of everyday patients. However, early in Nebraska Medicine’s work to treat patients with Ebola, doctors and nurses in the unit realized that x-rays could really help plan treatment for their patients.”(They’re helpful) if we see fluid, if we really need to encourage the deep breathing and coughing, if we need to get them up moving on the bike,” nurse Morgan Shradar said.On that unique, and high pressure call, rdiology technicians suit up to take a portable x-ray machine into the unit, directing unit staff on how to correctly set everything in place. Radiology techs do not actually touch the patient, but are in the room. The machine is thoroughly protected when it’s in the unit, and disinfected after its use.”It is kind of exciting, I think, just because we’re having the opportunity to teach people to help save the patients from the disease that’s supposedly fatal,” Dahl said.The entire process — suiting up, setting the machine, thoroughly cleaning it and showering out — can last 90 minutes for the techs taking X-rays.Each person has a real impact on patient care in the critical situations.”With everybody that comes together out of the hospital, we wouldn’t be able to do our jobs without them, so we’re very grateful,” Shradar said.The team works together to give patients battling Ebola their best chance at survival while recording research for future teams that may fight the outbreak.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |

OMAHA, Neb. —

On Friday, CNN reported that a CDC team has been dispatched to meet the passengers from the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship in Nebraska. Passengers are expected to be placed into quarantine there as part of an effort to ensure that the virus does not have a chance to spread, according to CNN.

The biocontainment unit was also used during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. You can read our story from the exclusive look in 2015 below.

KETV NewsWatch 7’s Jeremy Maskel suited up with the hospital’s team. During his trip, he followed the same strict checklist used by staff to treat patients with Ebola.

Skin is covered at all times in the unit and additional layers of gloves are changed with each trip into a biologically-isolated patient room. Boots, gowns, masks and shields are all a part of the process at a minimum, as well.

“We try to anticipate the most need that we would have when we go in there,” Nebraska Medicine Respiratory Therapy Coordinator Frank Freihaut said.

Doctors and nurses always team up to put on and take off protective equipment, ensuring that no details are overlooked.

Chris Dahl, a radiology technician at Nebraska Medicine, takes x-rays of everyday patients. However, early in Nebraska Medicine’s work to treat patients with Ebola, doctors and nurses in the unit realized that x-rays could really help plan treatment for their patients.

“(They’re helpful) if we see fluid, if we really need to encourage the deep breathing and coughing, if we need to get them up moving on the bike,” nurse Morgan Shradar said.

On that unique, and high pressure call, rdiology technicians suit up to take a portable x-ray machine into the unit, directing unit staff on how to correctly set everything in place. Radiology techs do not actually touch the patient, but are in the room. The machine is thoroughly protected when it’s in the unit, and disinfected after its use.

“It is kind of exciting, I think, just because we’re having the opportunity to teach people to help save the patients from the disease that’s supposedly fatal,” Dahl said.

The entire process — suiting up, setting the machine, thoroughly cleaning it and showering out — can last 90 minutes for the techs taking X-rays.

Each person has a real impact on patient care in the critical situations.

“With everybody that comes together out of the hospital, we wouldn’t be able to do our jobs without them, so we’re very grateful,” Shradar said.

The team works together to give patients battling Ebola their best chance at survival while recording research for future teams that may fight the outbreak.

Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.