Ebola has consumed the worldwide news media, spreading the information for us all to consume. And, some is accurate and some certainly is not. Twenty-four-hour access to this information can lead to a better informed citizen, but also to some unfounded concern. Either way, we should be preparing ourselves to handle a call for service, whether it is a legitimate one or not.
One thing that is for sure is that a call for service that has any resemblance to an Ebola scare will draw international media coverage, no matter the size of your town or location. The handling of these calls will be either applauded or scrutinized, such as the recent case in Texas. It’s not a matter of if, but rather a matter of when you will receive this call. So, let me ask: How are your body substance isolation skills?
In reality, handling an Ebola scare should be no big deal to us, the street-level provider. If we have sound Body Substance Isolation practices in place our risk of exposure should be reduced. As we respond on the constant stream of medical emergencies, we all should be using the proper forms of PPE. Whether it’s HIV, Hepatitis, or Ebola, protection is the key for our safety. Should we step up our game? Yes. Should we review our policies? Yes. Can we use this time to really perfect our PPE skills? Absolutely!
Constantly battling complacency is a hard war to win on medical responses. How many times have you forgotten to put on your gloves before arrival at the scene? When was the last time you didn’t place a mask on the patient exhibiting signs and symptoms of the flu? This jumpseat rider can attest to being affected by these very complacent behaviors. What makes these behaviors even more dangerous now is the risk of exposure to others, including your family members.
Where do we go from here?
The end result of the Ebola virus may not be known for months or years, but we need to be taking the extra step to ensure our safety. It starts with reviewing your department’s infectious disease protocols. After reviewing them, it is up to us, the street-level responder, to put them into practice. Constant and consistent PPE use is required, PERIOD! This shouldn’t require this outbreak to remind us all of that. Choosing to protect ourselves and others should be routine.
Here are some quick reminders.
- Wear your mask
- Use safety glasses with side protectors
- Cover arms with no gap between gloves
- Ensure proper patient history gathering(including international travel)
- Learn what hospitals have isolation rooms available
- Notify medical command if you have suspicions of exposure
- Decontaminate all equipment after every call
- Notify any suspected risk of exposure
Do any of these tips sound new to you? Hope not! They are procedures we all should be following every day. Ebola is a threat, but there are many other bigger threats out there. The flu is the biggest. Thousands of people die every year from the common flu. Oh, and by the way, the symptoms are similar.
Let’s all take a moment in the coming days to prepare ourselves. This preparation should never end. Whether it is Ebola or any other communicable disease, we owe it to our families and co-workers to practice sound infectious disease control every day! Take the time now to practice wearing and removing you body substance isolation gear before the next call!
For more, see the CDC's Ebola information.
See Ryan Live at Firehouse World: Ryan Pennington will be presenting "Behind That Door Is a Hoard” and “Communications Between the Front Seat and the Jump Seat" during Firehouse World in San Diego, Jan. 25-29. Find out more at FirehouseWorld.com.
