The guidelines highlight key areas to enhance overall preparation and response to potential or diagnosed Ebola patients

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released a checklist aimed at preparing EMS agencies to recognize and treat patients with Ebola.

Highlights include:

• Train all EMS personnel on how to identify signs and symptoms of Ebola infections and to avoid risk of exposure
• Consider travelers with fever, fatigue, vomiting and/or diarrhea and returning from affected West African countries as potential cases, and obtain additional history.
• Post screening criteria in conspicuous locations in EMS units, at EMS stations, and in other locations frequented by EMS personnel (see suggested screening criteria).
• Designate points of contact within their EMS organization/system responsible for communicating with state and local public health officials. Remember: Ebola must be reported to local, state, and federal public health authorities.
• Conduct a detailed inventory of available supplies of PPE suitable for standard, contact, and droplet precautions. Ensure an adequate supply, for EMS personnel, of:
• • Fluid resistant or impermeable gowns
  • Gloves
  • Shoe covers, boots, and booties
• Maintain an appropriate combination of the following:
• • Eye protection (face shield or goggles)
  • Facemasks (goggles or face shield must be worn with facemasks)
  • N95 respirators (for use during aerosol-generating procedures)
  • Other infection control supplies (e.g. hand hygiene supplies).
• Ensure procedures are in place to require that all EMS personnel accompanying a patient in a transport unit are wearing (at minimum): gloves, gown (fluid resistant or impermeable), eye protection (goggles or face shield), and a facemask
• Review, develop, and implement plans for: adequate respiratory support, safe administration of medication, and sharps procedures; and reinforce proper biohazard containment and disposal precautions
• Plan for regular situational briefs for decision-makers, including:
• • PUI for Ebola who have been identified and reported to public health authorities
  • Isolation, quarantine and exposure reports
  • Supplies and logistical challenges
  • Personnel status
  • Policy decisions on contingency plans and staffing​​

​​Read the full checklist