Table of Contents

G Manual - Infectious Disease


Date Revised: ?

Last Modified: 09/03/2024 10:03

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INFECTIOUS DISEASE POLICY STATEMENT

The Toledo Department of Fire and Rescue Operations recognizes that communicable disease exposure is an occupational health hazard. Potential communicable disease transmission is possible at any time including emergency response, non-emergency situations and in-house activities.

The Toledo Department of Fire and Rescue Operations is committed to a program that will provide the best available protection from occupationally acquired communicable disease.

The policy of the Toledo Department of Fire and Rescue Operations is:

To provide fire, rescue and EMS services to the public without regard to known or suspected diagnosis of communicable disease in any patient.

To regard all patient contact as potentially infectious; Body/Substance Isolation (Universal precautions) will be observed at all times by Toledo Fire and Rescue members.

To provide training, immunizations and all personal protective equipment (PPE) needed to be effectively protected from possible exposures.

To recognize the need for work restrictions of personnel due to concerns involving infection control.

To hold all medical information confidential. (No information will be released without the written consent of the person involved).

To educate the department on Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (C.I.S.D.) and encourage members to participate.



EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN

Purpose: To identify tasks and corresponding job classifications for which it can be expected or anticipated to be exposed to infectious and contagious materials (blood, body fluids, etc.); to develop, establish and maintain an Infection Control Plan. To identify the procedure for the evaluation of circumstances surrounding exposure incidents.


I. Exposure determination

  1. The following tasks can be expected to involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or other potentially infectious materials.

    • Provisions of emergency medical care to injured or ill patients;
    • The rescue of victims from hostile environments including burning structures or vehicles, water contaminated atmospheres, or oxygen deficient atmospheres;
    • Extrication of persons from vehicles, machinery or collapsed excavations or structures;
    • Recovery and/or removal of bodies from any situation cited above; and
    • Response to hazardous materials emergencies, both transportation and fixed site, involving potentially infectious substances.

  2. The following job classifications are reasonably anticipated to involve exposure to blood, body fluids or other potentially infectious substances in the performance of their duties.
    • Firefighter
    • Company Officer
    • Paramedic and EMS Supervisor (#122)
    • Hazardous materials response team members
    • Water Rescue team response members
    • Any other specialized rescue
    • Chief Officers
    • Safety Officers (#136)
    • EMS and Training Bureau members
    • Other emergency response personnel not otherwise classified


II. Implementation

  1. The Infection Control Program is applicable to all members of the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department providing fire, rescue, or emergency medical services. It is effective immediately.

  2. The Infection Control Program consists of a policy statement, identification of roles and responsibilities, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), training and recordkeeping. SOPs identify specific procedural guidelines for all aspects of response and station environments where disease transmission can be reasonably anticipated, as well as training, administrative aspects of the program, and post exposure evaluation/investigation. Specific program components are identified as follows:

SOP #IC 1: Health Maintenance
SOP #IC 2: Infection Control Training
SOP #IC 3: Station Environment
SOP #IC 4: Personal Protective Equipment
SOP #IC 5: Scene Operations
SOP #IC 6: Post-Response
SOP #IC 7: Post-Exposure Protocols
SOP #IC 8: Compliance and Quality Monitoring/Program Evaluation


III. Evaluation of Exposure Incidents

The procedure for the evaluation/investigation of circumstances surrounding incidents of exposure to blood, other body fluids, or other potentially infectious materials is detailed in SOP #IC 7: Post Exposure Protocols. Medical follow-up, documentation, recordkeeping, and confidentiality requirements are also defined in SOP #IC 7.



INFECTION CONTROL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES


I. Chief of the Department

The ultimate responsibility for the health & welfare of all members remains that of the Chief of the Department. The tasks of managing the department’s Occupational Health & Safety and Infection Control Programs are delegated to appropriate staff officers and committees as noted below.


II. Infection Control Officer

The Department Infection Control Officer will be appointed by the Chief of the Department and will:


III. The Department Physician

We currently use St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, Occupational Health for technical assistance and guidance in the implementation of the Infection Control Program. Any members exposed to disease or any post exposure follow-up care is directed to SVMMC for treatment. After-hours exposures are treated in the emergency center.


IV. Department Officers and Supervisors

Chief Officers and Company Officers will:


V. Toledo Fire Division Members

All Members will:


VI. Safety Officer (#136)



INFECTION CONTROL

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE

The Toledo Fire and Rescue Department will work towards compliance with the following SOP's as soon as funds become available. These procedures involving building changes will be adhered to in any remodeling of existing station and any new construction of fire stations. This will be done in consultation with the Infection Control Officer.

I. SOP #IC 1 HEALTH MAINTENANCE

  1. Patient Protection

Disease or Condition Work Status
Positive PPD skin test May work with follow-up
Conjunctivitis Off work, no patient contact until drainage is absent.
Draining Wound OFF until cleared up
Herpes Simplex (cold sores) May work but no patient contact until lesions crusted.
Herpes Zoster (shingles) May work but no patient contact until lesions are crusted.
Hepatitis A No patient contact until 7 days after jaundice disappears.
Hepatitis B No patient contact until proven serologically non-effective.
Mononucleosis OFF until directed by physician
Lice or Scabies OFF until treated
Streptococcal Infection OFF until directed by physician
Measles, Chickenpox, Mumps OFF until directed by physician
Influenza OFF until directed by physician
Impetigo May work but no patient contact until lesions healed


II. SOP #IC 2: INFECTION CONTROL TRAINING

All members providing emergency services will be required to complete:

1. Initial infection control training at the time of assignment to tasks where occupational exposure may occur.

2. Refresher infectious control training periodically.

3. All infection control-training materials will be appropriate in content and Voluntary to the education level, literacy and language of members being trained.

4. Training will be in compliance with NFPA Standard 1581 and shall include;

5. Infection control trainers shall be knowledgeable in all of the program elements listed above, particularly as they relate to emergency services provided by this department.

6. Written records of all training sessions will be maintained after the date on which the training occurs. Training records will include:


III. SOP #IC 3: STATION ENVIRONMENT

All stations will designate areas for:

Under no circumstances will kitchens, bathrooms, or living areas be used for decontamination or storage of patent care equipment or infectious waste.
All disposal of biohazard waste will be in accordance with EPA and local regulations and will be performed by an approved licensed contractor. Currently the contractor being used is B.F.I.


IV. SOP #IC 4: Personal Protective Equipment

Specification, purchase, storage and issue of personal protective equipment (PPE)

Selection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

SUMMARY:


V. SOP #IC 5: Scene Operations

Hand washing is the most important infection control procedure. Members will wash hands:


VI. SOP #IC 6: POST – RESPONSE


VII. SOP #IC 7: EXPOSURE PROTOCOLS


VIII. SOP#IC 8: Compliance and Quality Monitoring/Program Evaluation

1. Compliance and quality monitoring

  1. The Infection Control Officer will collect compliance and quality monitoring date including:

    • Inspections of station facilities
    • Observations of on-scene activities
    • Analysis of reported exposures to communicable diseases
    • The Infection Control Officer will coordinate with St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, Occupational Health or designated facility in assuring all members get the follow-up treatment required.

2. Program Evaluation




Request for Notification Form

Request for notification

~~Download Above Form~~



EMERGENCY CARE WORKER (ECW) EXPOSURE FOLLOW-UP PROCEDURE

According to Ohio Law (Ohio Revised Code, Section 3701.248) Emergency Care Workers have access to information regarding patients that may have a contagious or infectious disease. In the event that an Emergency Care Worker suffers a significant exposure through contact with a patient, they must submit a written request (attached) to be notified of the results of any tests performed to determine the presence of a contagious or infectious disease.

I. Emergency Care Worker (ECW)

II. Nurse or Physician:


APIC, Inc. Northwest Ohio
Executive Committee

The Toledo Hospital
Infection Control Department
ATTACHMENT #2