Policy 2118: Infectious and Communicable Disease Control

YAKIMA COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 12

10000 ZIER ROAD

YAKIMA, WA 98908

POLICY # 2118

COMMISSION CHAIR SIGNATURE: s/b Ken Eakin, Chair

EFFECTIVE DATE: 10-05-93

REVISED DATE: 09/09/08

POLICY TITLE: INFECTIOUS AND COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL

REFERENCES: RCW 70.24, SOG 3-2

1.0 PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines to prevent the spread of infectious disease and for the safety and safeguard of emergency responders and citizens.

2.0 PREVALENCE OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE

The prevalence of infectious disease increases the risk that pre-hospital care personnel will be exposed to patients infected with HIV, Hepatitis, and other communicable pathogens. A rigorous infection control program minimizes the risk of exposure to personnel and significantly decreases the transmission of infectious disease. This policy hereby adopts the Yakima County Fire District 12 Infectious Disease Control Standard.

3.0 IMMUNIZATIONS PROVIDED TO DEPARTMENT MEMBERS

The Department shall be responsible to insure all Department Members are briefed on the immunization program available and are provided an opportunity to participate. The completed form will be maintained in each individual’s personnel file.

4.0 DISTRICT REQUIRED TO PROVIDE ANNUAL TRAINING

The Department shall review the infectious and communicable disease control standard, policy, and procedures on an annual basis and shall provide annual training through Yakima County Department of Emergency Medical Services On-going Training and Evaluation Program on the standard, policy, and procedures.

5.0 VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT CLEANING AND DISINFECTING

Each aid car/medic unit shall be supplied with infectious disease control supplies and equipment. Aid/medic vehicles and equipment shall be cleaned, disinfected, or sterilized as needed or on a monthly basis. Completion will be recorded on the vehicle check sheet by the individual who performed the procedure. Department members shall ensure all re-usable equipment used or exposed is cleansed and disinfected after each incident according to the established Department policies and procedures and all disposable equipment is properly discarded in the correct bio hazard disposal container (sharps in a sharps container, gloves, blankets, tubes ect in a red bag).

6.0 USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Department members are to wear medical exam gloves when performing procedures, which involve contact with patient’s mucus membranes, blood, or body fluids. When performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, Department members shall use pocket masks for protection. The medical officer shall maintain an adequate inventory and provide to all Department members approved rubber gloves and pocket masks. Eye protection, gowns and N-95 masks shall be provided by the District and used by members whenever there is potential to be contaminated.

7.0 DISPOSAL OF CONTAMINATED SUPPLIES AND SHARPS

Department members shall collect and properly dispose of all contaminated supplies and sharps before leaving the emergency scene. Upon return to the station the responding crew shall immediately dispose of all contaminated supplies and sharps in the approved containers provided by the Department.

8.0 REPORTING EXPOSURE TO INFECTIOUS DISEASE

Each Department member shall be responsible for completing a record of each exposure to infectious disease after each incident in which their mouth, eyes, or an unprotected laceration is directly exposed to blood or body secretions, or in the event of a needle stick injury. The Member must fill out a District exposure report form and file it with Administration.

9.0 SAFETY OFFICER TO PROVIDE FOLLOW-UP

The Safety Officer shall complete an Infectious Disease request for Patient Follow-Up Form for each reported exposure to infectious disease. The Safety Officer shall conduct the follow-up and provide feedback to the person or persons involved. Documentation shall be filed in each personnel file on reports of infectious disease exposure.