PPE-N95

[Bart 0]

Does everyone have access to N95s in their vehicles?

[x635 4,066]

Where I'm at, they are assigned to the person, since they have to have the right size and accountable so they don't get lost. We carry surgical masks in our trucks, but as far as N95 not right now carrying extras.

[antiquefirelt 994]

Our ambulances carry COVID-19 PPE kits for use on any call dispatched a Positive or Inconclusive case. The kit includes gown, faceshield and an N95. Additionally, an officer responds to all medical calls where it is a Positive or inconclusive patient and manages the scene personnel use and use of PPE.  Any N95 worn within 6ft. of a patient is disposed of, those worn but remaining outside the 6 ft. envelope are reused by the wearer until it's exposed. Unlike 99% of our "typical" EMS calls, a mistake doesn't just effect the patient.  A PPE or decon mistake has the potential to affect all our staff, their families and the next patient, so these runs are being overseen by the officer. We have implemented other measures to limit on scene exposure of staff as well which cuts down on unnecessary PPE use. 

 

Right now the department is looking into numerous re-use scenarios as the supply of PPE is scarce. Thankfully we're currently not seeing more than 1/3 of our patients being screened as Positive or Inconclusive, but we're requiring  the use of surgical masks on all EMS calls and a mask on every patient, as well as greater care in initial interaction screening.   

 

Lastly, and maybe it's happening everywhere, but we're seeing a real dip in overall EMS call volume. In the past two weeks we've seen a drop of probably 50% of "routine" medical runs.

Edited April 4, 2020 by antiquefirelt