Education
PPE, Precautions & Paramedic Safety: COVID-19 We need your input! Are these podcasts working for you? Do you have an idea for a podcast episode? Know someone that would make an awesome guest? Please take a moment to fill out our Medic Minutes Survey Hosts: Gord Minaker - PCP-IV, UBC Medical Student Kaela Richardson - Respiratory Therapist, UBC Medical Student Guest: Kevin Lambert - Critical Care Paramedic, Paramedic Practice Educator Acknowledgements: Janie Nichols, Infection Prevention Specialist Date of Episode Release: March 25, 2020 Episode Description & Summary: In this episode, we review best practices regarding personal protective equipment (PPE), precautions to be taken on COVID calls, and paramedic safety in the context of COVID-19. Please see below for a timeline of the questions we ask during this episode, and for links to resources. Please refer to the BCEHS Handbook for latest guidelines: https://handbook.bcehs.ca Contacts: Clinical Questions - clinicalpractice@bcehs.ca Podcast feedback & suggestions - podcast@bcehs.ca Podcast Timeline: 1:03 - How is COVID-19 spread? 2:16 - What can paramedics do on a day-to-day basis? 4:21 - Are calls still being screened for “Influenza Like Illness” waits? 6:00 - What calls should we be wearing PPE on? 7:14 - What should do before we arrive on-scene to prepare? 9:23 - How should we prepare the ambulance for transport? 13:14 - Are surgical masks ever acceptable when encountering COVID cases? 14:59 - What sort of eye protection should we use? 16:35 - Should we use the buddy system for PPE? 18:19 - Reviewing Donning and Doffing 22:00 - Should we be double gloving? 22:44 - Should we wear boot covers? 24:08 - Limiting gear exposure in the ambulance during transport 26:47 - Reverse Isolation for Patients 27:49 - Who do we need to notify of COVID calls? 29:19 - Reducing the number of people exposed on calls 30:33 - When should drivers doff? What PPE should we wear in the cab of the truck? 32:36 - How should we reduce hospital exposure? 36:15 - How should we clean the ambulances? 37:46 - What PPE should we wear to clean? 38:12 - A final word from Kevin Lambert References & Links: BCEHS Doorway Assessment: https://handbook.bcehs.ca/covid-19/covid-19-update-march-23rd/on-scene-doorway-assessment/ Donning PPE video here: https://youtu.be/btrFMvj3Gm8 Hand Hygiene video here: https://youtu.be/J7aILlTnE78 Doffing PPE video here: https://youtu.be/Rro4RJ5Az88 Donning & Doffing Poster: https://handbook.bcehs.ca/clinical-resources/infection-prevention-and-control/ppe/donning-and-doffing/ Hand Hygiene Poster: https://handbook.bcehs.ca/clinical-resources/infection-prevention-and-control/hand-hygiene/cleaning-your-hands/ Cleaning and Disinfecting Resources: https://handbook.bcehs.ca/clinical-resources/infection-prevention-and-control/cleaning-and-disinfection/