The following procedure has been established for cleaning laryngoscopes and reusable stylets after using them on patients. We’ll be posting this in the EMS rooms at the hospitals soon. The web address for this file is shown at the bottom of the flowsheet, and a PDF version is attached...
Department
Posts authored by the Virginia Beach Department of EMS
Member-provided face coverings
The EMS Department has been evaluating guidance from the CDC regarding the use of non-medical, non-industrial face coverings as an adjunct to social distancing techniques during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Department has found no credible evidence to suggest that such face coverings offer a degree of protection – from...
Elite Documentation – COVID-19
Make sure to review the attachment for the latest COVID-19 related documentation practices. Elite Update March 31 2020
COVID-19 safety update
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...
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...