Chapter 77
Protection of EMS personnel from occupationally acquired infections
Carin M. Van Gelder,
Carin M. Van Gelder
Search for more papers by this authorCarin M. Van Gelder,
Carin M. Van Gelder
Search for more papers by this authorBook Editor(s):David C. Cone MD,
Jane H. Brice MD, MPH,
Theodore R. Delbridge MD, MPH,
J. Brent Myers MD, MPH,
David C. Cone MD
Professor of Emergency Medicine
Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
Search for more papers by this authorJane H. Brice MD, MPH
Professor of Emergency Medicine
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Search for more papers by this authorTheodore R. Delbridge MD, MPH
Executive Director
Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, Baltimore, Maryland
Search for more papers by this authorJ. Brent Myers MD, MPH
Chief Medical Officer ESO Associate Medical Director
Wake County EMS, Raleigh, North Carolina
Search for more papers by this authorFirst published: 18 August 2021
Summary
This chapter reviews measures designed to minimize transmission of infectious diseases to EMS clinicians and to patients who are cared for in the prehospital setting. The EMS medical director should be aware of state and federal regulations as well as current CDC guidelines and other standards for immunization of EMS personnel, circumstances requiring barrier precautions or notification of possible exposure, disinfection of equipment and apparatus, and both immediate management and medical follow-up of clinicians exposed to infectious pathogens in the course of their duties. After defining the elements of standard precautions, the additional precautions related to the four distinct modes of pathogen transmission are delineated. Specific attention is focused on current guidelines for prevention and postexposure prophylaxis of the blood-borne pathogens hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus.
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