APIC develops infection control guide for first responders

January 12th, 2015

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) face an unpredictable array of risks every day, from fires and hazardous materials to infectious diseases and sharps-related injuries. Who better to address infectious threats than the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, which has developed a free, downloadable Guide to Infection Prevention in Emergency Medical Services.

“EMS system responders deliver medical care in many unique and oftentimes dangerous environments,” says Janet Woodside, RN, MSN, COHN-S, lead author of the guide, and EMS program manager for Portland, Ore. Fire and Rescue. “APIC saw a need to develop this guide because EMS agencies, including public safety and fire, needed a comprehensive, easy-to-use resource to enhance their knowledge of infection prevention strategies.”

Developed by a team of infection prevention experts, the guide presents topic-specific information in a user-friendly format that includes numerous examples, tools, checklists, and references to help increase the understanding of:

• Infection prevention standards and regulations
• Infectious diseases in EMS and strategies to prevent transmission
• Use of personal protective equipment, disinfection procedures, and hand hygiene
• Occupational exposure health issues
• Surveillance and risk assessments in the EMS setting
• Emergency, disaster, and bioterrorism preparedness