1-14 PROTECTION AGAINST BLOODBORNE AND AIRBORNE PATHOGENS
From CRS EMS Guidelines
All EMS providers are required to have an exposure plan in place and are expected to adhere to it. Some general guidelines are listed below.
- Heavy duty leather gloves should be worn during extrication procedures to protect your hands against cuts and scratches that could become contaminated with a patient’s blood or body fluids.
- Exam or surgical gloves should be worn at all times when in contact with bleeding or draining wounds, starting IV’s or childbirth situations.
- In situations where blood or body fluids could be splashed into the mouth a surgical mask should be worn.
- Eye protection should be worn in those situations (tracheal intubation, suctioning, and ventilation with a demand-valve) where blood or body fluids could be splashed into the eye.
- IV cannulas, SQ and IM needles should not be recapped. A heavy plastic container should be present in the ambulance for disposal of contaminated needles and other sharps. The contaminated material should be properly disposed of at the hospital.
- Approved ventilation devices (pocket-mask, bag-mask or demand-valve) should be immediately available and used in preference to mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
- High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) respirators must be worn at all times when in close contact with an individual with known or suspected TB.
- An alcohol-based foam or liquid hand cleanser should be available in the ambulance to clean hands. Any cuts or abrasions to your hands should be covered with Band-Aids.
- Vehicle interior, cot surfaces and equipment (i.e. PASG) should be adequately cleaned and disinfected with an approved solution.
Significant exposure forms are available in the emergency departments and should be completed for all parenteral and mucocutaneous exposure to blood and body fluids at the patient’s receiving hospital. Exposure forms for airborne pathogens will also be made available. HIV prophylaxis for significant exposures should be considered, and should be discussed with the Medical Control physician immediately after such an exposure.
