The Federal Healthcare Resilience Task Force recently published two documents to support EMS workers responding during COVID-19. Linked below, these documents can also be helpful to responders from other fields: Managing Patient and Family Distress Associated with COVID-19: Tips for EMS Personnel Mitigate Absenteeism by Protecting EMS Clinicians’ Psychological Health and Well-being During the COVID-19 Pandemic […]
Category: EMS Guidance and Information
On Friday, March, 27, 2020 Governor DeWine signed Amended Substitute House Bill 197 (HB 197) which includes many provisions intended to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This Bill includes relief to certificate holders whose certificates expire during the state of emergency declared by the Governor through Executive Order 2020-01D, issued March 9, 2020.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety, Division of EMS has recently received inquiries regarding the management of waste following the treatment of a patient with suspected or known COVID-19 infection. The current CDC recommendations state that the management of laundry, food service utensils, and medical waste should also be performed in accordance with routine procedures.
Several weeks ago, PWW and other industry groups asked CMS for relief from signature rules because of the impracticability of obtaining Assignment of Benefits (AOB) signatures from suspected or actual COVID-19 patients. Now, CMS has officially acknowledged that due to CDC Guidelines, it is improper to ask suspected or known COVID patients to handle styluses, […]
This memo is to clarify questions regarding the requirements for when an EMS agency can reduce to minimum staffing on the ambulance.
The Dayton Fire Department has provided the following guideline for departments to use as an example: Cleaning of Mobile Technology Devices will be done in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations. The Dayton Fire Department’s primary cleaning agents will be Sani-Cloth Disposal Cloths, Alcohol Prep Swabs, or Clorox Wipes. All units may be surface decontaminated by […]
Following updated recommendations from the CDC, the IAFF has released the following recommendations: Following new guidance announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommending that the public voluntarily wear non-medical basic cloth or fabric masks, the IAFF strongly recommends that members begin wearing surgical masks at the fire station and to consider […]
Per Ohio Administrative Code 4765-17-03(A)(24), the performance of rapid COVID-19 blood testing is within the Ohio EMS scope of practice for certified Ohio Paramedics with authorization, a written protocol, training, continuing education, and a quality assurance program provided by the EMS medical director. The performance of rapid COVID-19 blood testing is not within the Ohio […]
April 1, 2020. Update from Health Alert released March 25, 2020 Summary and Action Items The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided guidance on “Strategies to Optimize the Supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Equipment”, including eye protection, isolation gowns, facemasks, N95 respirators, and ventilators. CDC has also provided guidance for […]