By FireRescue1 Staff
ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released interim guidelines for EMS Thursday for the handling of patients with possible swine flu infection.
According to the guidelines, each EMS and 911 system should seek the involvement of its EMS medical director for medical oversight on all calls concerning potentially infected patients.
“Given the uncertainty of the disease, its treatment, and its progression, the ongoing role of EMS medical directors is critically important,” the report said.
The guidance report designates two approach methods for areas without confirmed cases and areas with confirmed infections.
For areas where there have not been swine flu cases, EMS personnel should stay more than 6 feet away from patients with symptoms and should assess for acute febrile respiratory illness.
For areas with confirmed cases, EMS personnel should address all aspects of scene safety with PPE considerations, and assess acute febrile respiratory illness symptoms.
According to the report, patients should wear a surgical mask if possible, and the receiving facility should be informed ahead of time so infection control precautions can be made.
View the CDC’s “Interim Guidance for Emergency Medical Services Systems” by visiting http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/guidance_ems.htm.