In October 2001, the American College of Emergency Physicians met in Chicago amid widespread anxiety over the state of emergency preparedness. The U.S. at the time was reeling from the 9/11 attacks and anthrax fears.
This week, the ACEP meets in Chicago amid another national crisis, this time involving an infectious disease fatal in a majority of cases. Three sessions have been scheduled to discuss the appropriate clinical response to the Ebola virus.
The goal is to help emergency physicians “prepare for whatever is coming through their door,” said Bobby Heard, ACEP's associate executive director for membership and education.
