EXPOSURE REVIEW METRICS Many of you have received my exposure questionnaires and instruction sheets. I’ve reviewed 238 individual encounters on 66 incidents. The volume of cases to review is now becoming overwhelming. Fortunately, some clear patterns have emerged, and are covered below. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK...
News
Fundamentals of exposure risk assessment
Officers, With respect to COVID-19, please be aware of the fundamentals of exposure risk assessment. There are always risks. You can manage them, and you can favor one over another, but you cannot eliminate them altogether. For instance, we could guarantee that no member will catch...
Elite – Crew Member Documentation
Please remember to include all personnel present on an incident in the Elite patient care report. While this is not a new requirement, it is perhaps more important now than ever before. Should a crew need to be contacted for follow-up regarding a patient they treated this is the...
COVID-19 safety update
While performing some of our new processes, we’ve identified the following opportunities for improvement: Don’t send more providers than necessary into the 6-foot proximity of the patient. Unless you’re working a code or pre-code, it usually only takes one provider to perform initial examinations and treatments. Keep interns...
COVID-19 safety update
We recommend a new routine for the end of your shift: Put your duty uniform in a clean plastic bag Shower Change into a clean set of street clothes When you get home, transfer your duty uniform directly from the bag into your washing machine and immediately process...
Don’t forget to clean your Toughbook
As we use the ToughBooks in the field don’t forget they, too, need to be cleaned frequently. You may use any non-bleach wet sanitizing wipes to clean the computers. Remember, don’t immerse them in water and avoid using sprays directly onto the devices. If you don’t have a pre-wet...
Department-issued bleach spray at hospitals
Beginning tomorrow, the EMS Department will be providing spray bottles of diluted household bleach solution at the following hospitals for EMS use: Virginia Beach General Princess Anne Independence Leigh You may use the solution to clean ambulances and gear after transporting a patient with a communicable disease...
PPE and COVID-19 in Elite
To aid in screening of patients with symptoms related to and/or similarly consistent with COVID-19 we have added a screening worksheet into Elite. Attached is information on this along with info on documenting PPE usage (which was mentioned in previous releases also). COVID-19 and PPE Hits: 4
Elite Documentation Guidance
Here is additional information related to proper documentation for suspected and/or confirmed COVID-19 patients. This information is based on CDC documentation recommendations in an effort to produce the most consistent data across all sources. COVID19_Documentation_03132020 Hits: 4
PPE infographic. Don’t skimp & don’t waste
Clarification: The guidance in the below infographic only applies to encounters with patients who are specifically concerning for COVID-19 per CDC screening guidelines (fever, cough, shortness of breath PLUS recent travel to a hot spot or recent exposure to a known COVID-19 patient). Remember: We do not currently...