Emergency medical service providers are on the front lines for every type of emergency. As such, they face dangers first. They must define critical situations to make emergency responses and subsequent treatment actions safe for other responders and caregivers.
Infectious diseases are dangerous unknown quantities that EMS personnel must always watch for and be ready to safeguard bystanders as well as themselves from infection. As the current COVID-19 pandemic rages on, with some areas having out-of-control infection rates, measures to protect EMS providers from infection are front and center.
Setting Parameters for Protection
The current global novel coronavirus causing COVID-19 is not the only infectious disease EMS providers must watch for. However, whatever the type of potentially contagious condition faced, EMS workers can help prevent illness from spreading by following three specific guidelines:
- Identify
- Isolate
- Inform
This general strategy is effective for high-level disease threats that can cause serious illness and death. The training and skill of EMS providers comes in their ability to stay focused on safety protocols under intense pressure. Furthermore, this plan for controlling contagions is important because it helps those who are not specifically EMS personnel but who must provide pre-hospital care at accident scenes. These professionals include firefighters, nurses, and police officers.
Identify Disease Threats
In addition to COVID-19, EMS personnel and other emergency care providers could face a variety of dangers, including:
- Influenza
- Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS
- Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers, or VHFs, the most common being Ebola
The first guideline element comes when EMS providers must identify the contagion they are facing. When this is done quickly, they can more effectively protect themselves against potential infection.
A solid way of determining the type of contagion is initially by anecdotal evidence. EMS personnel are trained concerning diagnosis, and they know to ask people where they have traveled recently. The answers, together with symptoms, can help determine a diagnosis.
Isolate Infected Patients
Multiple protocols can be put into place to help prevent disease transmission. For cases of potential COVID-19, MERS, or influenza infections, responders mask patients and done eye and face protection themselves, along with gloves and standard personal protection equipment. Responders can also use impervious suits and blankets for patients in cases of VHFs.
During ambulance transport, driver and passenger compartments should be separated, with clean air flowing through both. Exhaust filters should be used with ventilation equipment, and if a patient is vomiting or has other bodily discharge, internal draping can help control the spread of contagion. Another important aspect of isolation involves distancing the patient from on-site personnel who are nonessential to the patient’s care.
Informing Authorities
Communication is key in controlling infections. EMS providers who are dealing with suspected or confirmed infectious disease should inform the receiving facility, other emergency responders, and public health authorities immediately. Others in the local and regional public chain of command may be notified based on standard procedures.
About Provident Insurance Programs
With roots dating back to 1902, Provident Insurance Programs is a program administrator that serves paid and volunteer firefighters in addition to emergency medical responders with numerous custom-tailored insurance programs. We’ve also extended our expertise and experience to offer benefit plans and coverages to participant groups as well as Transportation Benefits. We are committed to continuing to provide superior customer service, and would be happy to speak with you to provide further information. Give us a call today at (855) 201-8880 to speak with one of our representatives.