Part V-- Decontamination of Ambulances A “Just-in-Time” Primer on H1N1 Influenza A and Pandemic Influenza provided by the National Association of State EMS Officials Revised June 12, 2009

Table of Contents Part I--Understanding Influenza and the Current Influenza Pandemic Part I--Understanding Influenza and the Current Influenza Pandemic Part II--Understanding the Terminology Part II--Understanding the Terminology Part III—Understanding H1N1 Influenza A Part III—Understanding H1N1 Influenza A Part IV—Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for EMS Part IV—Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for EMS Part V--Decontamination of Ambulances Part V--Decontamination of Ambulances Part VI—Influenza and EMTALA Part VI—Influenza and EMTALA Part VII– Planning Considerations Part VII– Planning Considerations 6/12/2009National Association of State EMS Officials2

Disclaimer This self-learning module was developed by the National Association of State EMS Officials. The content was collated from various sources and current as of June 12, Users are strongly encouraged to review situational reports and updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US Department of Health and Human Services, the US Department of Agriculture, the World Health Organization, and similar entities as revised and additional information becomes available. NASEMSO did not review or approve material which may have been added beyond the distributed version which is on our web site at This self-learning module was developed by the National Association of State EMS Officials. The content was collated from various sources and current as of June 12, Users are strongly encouraged to review situational reports and updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US Department of Health and Human Services, the US Department of Agriculture, the World Health Organization, and similar entities as revised and additional information becomes available. NASEMSO did not review or approve material which may have been added beyond the distributed version which is on our web site at 6/12/20093National Association of State EMS Officials

EMS & Critical Components of the National Strategy 6/12/20094National Association of State EMS Officials EMS and documents are available for download at

Current H1N1 Overview Most people recover from infection without the need for hospitalization or medical care. Most people recover from infection without the need for hospitalization or medical care. Overall, national levels of severe illness from influenza A (H1N1) appear similar to levels seen during local seasonal influenza periods, although high levels of disease have occurred in some local areas and institutions. Overall, national levels of severe illness from influenza A (H1N1) appear similar to levels seen during local seasonal influenza periods, although high levels of disease have occurred in some local areas and institutions. Overall, hospitals and health care systems in most countries have been able to cope with the numbers of people seeking care, although some facilities and systems have been stressed in some localities. Overall, hospitals and health care systems in most countries have been able to cope with the numbers of people seeking care, although some facilities and systems have been stressed in some localities. 6/12/2009National Association of State EMS Officials5

DECONTAMINATION OF AMBULANCES Part V 6/12/2009National Association of State EMS Officials6

Decontamination Routine cleaning with soap or detergent and water to remove soil and organic matter, followed by the proper use of disinfectants, are the basic components of effective environmental management of influenza. Routine cleaning with soap or detergent and water to remove soil and organic matter, followed by the proper use of disinfectants, are the basic components of effective environmental management of influenza. 6/12/2009National Association of State EMS Officials7

Decontamination After the patient has been removed and prior to cleaning, the air within the vehicle may be exhausted by opening the doors and windows of the vehicle while the ventilation system is running. This should be done outdoors and away from pedestrian traffic. After the patient has been removed and prior to cleaning, the air within the vehicle may be exhausted by opening the doors and windows of the vehicle while the ventilation system is running. This should be done outdoors and away from pedestrian traffic. 6/12/2009National Association of State EMS Officials8

Decontamination Some reusable equipment may need to be covered with disposable plastic covers to protect it from contamination if it cannot be decontaminated with disinfectants without the chance of damage to the equipment (per the manufacturers' recommendations). Some reusable equipment may need to be covered with disposable plastic covers to protect it from contamination if it cannot be decontaminated with disinfectants without the chance of damage to the equipment (per the manufacturers' recommendations). 6/12/2009National Association of State EMS Officials9

Decontamination Frequently touched surfaces in patient-care compartments that become directly contaminated with respiratory secretions and other bodily fluids during patient care, or indirectly by touching the surfaces with gloved hands, should be cleaned first with detergent and water and then disinfected using an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Frequently touched surfaces in patient-care compartments that become directly contaminated with respiratory secretions and other bodily fluids during patient care, or indirectly by touching the surfaces with gloved hands, should be cleaned first with detergent and water and then disinfected using an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. 6/12/2009National Association of State EMS Officials10

Decontamination Ensure that the surface is kept wet with the disinfectant for the full contact time specified by the manufacturer. Ensure that the surface is kept wet with the disinfectant for the full contact time specified by the manufacturer. Adhere to any safety precautions or other recommendations as directed (e.g., allowing adequate ventilation in confined areas, and proper disposal of unused product or used containers). Adhere to any safety precautions or other recommendations as directed (e.g., allowing adequate ventilation in confined areas, and proper disposal of unused product or used containers). 6/12/2009National Association of State EMS Officials11

Decontamination Non-porous surfaces in patient-care compartments that are not frequently touched can be cleaned with detergent and water. Avoid large-surface cleaning methods that produce mists or aerosols or disperse dust in patient-care areas (e.g., use wet dusting techniques, wipe application of cleaning and/or disinfectant solutions). Non-porous surfaces in patient-care compartments that are not frequently touched can be cleaned with detergent and water. Avoid large-surface cleaning methods that produce mists or aerosols or disperse dust in patient-care areas (e.g., use wet dusting techniques, wipe application of cleaning and/or disinfectant solutions). 6/12/2009National Association of State EMS Officials12

Decontamination Clean any small spills of bodily fluids (e.g., vomit from an ill patient) by cleaning first with detergent and water followed by disinfection using an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant from EPA List D or E in accordance with the manufacturer’s use instructions and safety precautions. Clean any small spills of bodily fluids (e.g., vomit from an ill patient) by cleaning first with detergent and water followed by disinfection using an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant from EPA List D or E in accordance with the manufacturer’s use instructions and safety precautions. 6/12/2009National Association of State EMS Officials13

For More Information… /12/2009National Association of State EMS Officials14

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