myProtocols

COVID PPE

 

History:

 

  • Age
  • Duration of illness
  • Past medical history
  • Medications
  • Drug allergies

 

Significant Findings:

 

  • Fever over 100.4
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Persistent Pain or Pressure in the chest
  • Recent travel

 

Differential For high risk:

 

  • Over 65 years old
  • Nursing home and assisted living residence
  • COPD and Asthma Hx.
  • Serious heart condition Hx.
  • Immunocompromised patients
  • Diabetics
  • Dialysis patients

 

All GCEMS personnel need to wear a surgical mask while providing patient care or while in close proximity with others

 

Arrive on scene and identify the patient as

suspected COVID-19 patient after first contact

 

  • Have the patient don a surgical mask

 

 

Arrive on scene of call dispatched as COVID Alert

 

  • Conduct initial assessment at a distance greater than 6 feet if feasible

 

  • If the patient fits criteria have them don a surgical mask

 

Does the patient require nebulizer treatments, CPAP, or any form of assisted ventilations

 

  • Yes

 

    • All providers involved in this patient care should don goggles, gown and an N95 mask

 

    • Nebulizer treatments should be done in an open environment away from other people if at all possible

 

    • Treatments done in the back of an ambulance should be done with the HVAC and Ventilation system turned on, and the doors open

 

    • In line filters must be used with all of these procedures

 

  • No

 

    • During transport the primary EMS provider should continue to wear a surgical mask

 

    • he patient should be required to continue to wear a surgical mask

 

    • The providers should attempt to maintain as much social distance from the patient as possible

 

PEARLS:

 

  • ALL PPE used on COVID suspected patients must be documented in the ESO PCR (document PPE used on each provider & the patient).

 

  • After the patient is transferred to the receiving facility, all equipment used in the patient’s care including the cot and the monitor should be properly disinfected using the available authorized cleaners in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines.

 

  • If any equipment is grossly contaminated by the patient’s blood, sweat, sputum, vomit or other bodily fluids, should be taken out of service.

 

  • All COVID-19 Clinical Guidelines are only in effect for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency and are null and void once the COVID emergency is declared over.

 

  • Doff PPE as directed by the manufacturer (e.g. N95) or as directed by ED staff at the receiving hospital.