1. Hygiene, Safety and Vaccinations
EMS Provider
Hygiene, Safety and Vaccinations

2. Vaccinations and Immunizations for EMS Providers
Non-immunized healthcare workers that are exposed are at risk
This could mean time off work and restrictions
Vaccines are the key to not getting sick

3. Is it the law?
The Society of Healthcare Epidemiologists of American, The Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Prevention and The American Academy of Pediatrics are all in favor of mandatory vaccinations for healthcare workers
As of right now it is different by state
Should an exposure occur documented evidence of immunization must be readily available

4. Exposure
If EMS crews are exposed to a suspected infected patient, hospitals must notify the agency of the potential exposure
Any employee can opt out of a vaccine for medical reasons but must have a declination form on file

5. Measles, Mumps, Rubella
Receiving an MMR vaccine may not ensure immunization
Those born between 1963 and 1967 were given a killed virus and need to be revaccinated
Those born after 1967 received a mixture of three live attenuated viruses and are considered appropriately immunized
Born before 1957 most likely acquired immunity by contracting the disease

6. Pertussis, TDaP and Chickenpox
In 2011 there were 10,000 confirmed cases of pertussis in the US
The CDC requires all healthcare workers to receive a one-time booster of TDaP
In 2006 the CDC required all healthcare agencies to establish screening processes for chickenpox with proof of immunization.
If an employee indicates they have had the chickenpox a titer is required to provide proof of immunization
Those not immunized must receive the vaccine

7. Flu Everyone should be encouraged to get the vaccine
The CDC mandates employers to pay for the vaccine
Anyone choosing not to receive the vaccine must have a declination on file, however, the employer can override and make this mandatory

8. TB Testing New employees must be tested for TB
Annual testing is no longer a CDC requirement

9. Hand Hygiene in EMS
Hand washing is the first step in disease prevention
The basics:
Use soap and water (water alone does not get rid of germs)
Rub hands together for 20 seconds
Rinse for 10 seconds
Dry with a towel

10. Did you know?
72=the number of hours cold and flu germs can survive on common surfaces
300=the number of surfaces a child can touch and retouch in 30 minutes
10,000=the number of bacteria in a sneeze
189 million = the number of school days every year lost to the common cold

11. EMS Safety Common Themes of Risks Lack of teamwork
Distracted or inattentive
Lack of training or knowledge
Lack of standardization
Complacency
Fatigue or tiredness
Negative culture of safety
Lack of communications
Protocol deviations
Poor system design or process

12. For a more intense review of EMS Safety Techniques and Applications
Go to the Federal Emergency Management Agency
United States Fire Administration

13. For more information:
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