On top of the negative publicity, Dallas hospital deals with Ebola paranoia

The Texas Health Resources hospital in Dallas that suffered a reputational hit over its mistaken discharge of Ebola patient Thomas Eric Duncan Sept. 25 also appears to be suffering decreased patient volumes because of the case.

The Dallas Morning News reported that an executive at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas sent an email to staff saying publicity about the case has led to appointment cancellations out of public fear about the disease.

The email reportedly was sent by Texas Health Dallas Chief Operating Officer James Berg. It included “talking points” for employees to reassure the public that it was safe to visit the campus, as well as a fact sheet about Ebola and the measures the hospital has taken to ensure public safety.

“We are hearing from many of you that patients are canceling appointments and expressing fear of coming to the Texas Health Dallas campus,” Berg wrote. “We are working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and following every suggested precaution to protect the health care workers who come in contact with the patient, as well as patients and visitors to the hospital.”

Calls to the hospital seeking comment were not immediately returned. Duncan remains in an isolation unit as of Friday. His condition has been listed as serious.

Wendell Watson, a spokesman for Texas Health Resources, told the Morning News that Berg's message was sent to dispel rumors, and that any patient appointment cancellations or declines in emergency department visits were “nothing significant.”

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Follow Steven Ross Johnson on Twitter: @MHsjohnson