12. INFECTION CONTROL IN EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORT

(EMT) OF SARS PATIENTS

· Transport of SARS suspects/cases is the mandatory responsibility of the health facility. Self-conduction of the patient is not allowed.

· Use a minimum number of EMT personnel in transporting SARS patients.

· Do not transport SARS patients with non-SARS patients or passengers in the same vehicle.

· Stabilize airway and hemodynamic status of a SARS patient prior to transport.

· Notify the receiving facility or hospital prior to transport of SARS patients

· If possible, a barrier should be placed between the driver and the patient.

· The SARS suspect or probable patient MUST WEAR a SURGICAL MASK during the entire trip.

· The driver and other EMT personnel must wear an N95 mask during the entire trip.

· All the EMT must wear the proper PPE including gloves, disposable gowns, and eye protection.

· Hand hygiene with 70% alcohol or alcohol based hand rub must be done as often as necessary.

· Sufficient infection control supplies should be on board in the vehicle.

· Oxygen delivery with simple and non-rebreather facemasks may be used for patient oxygen support during transport.

· Disinfect the surfaces of the inside compartment of the transport vehicle with 0.1% sodium hypochlorite after each use.

FOLLOW UP OF EMT PERSONNEL WHO TRANSPORT SARS PATIENTS

· After transportation, the EMT team should provide the following information to their medical director:

Date and route of transport

Duration of patient transport

Names, contact information, and specific duties of transport personnel

· EMT services should designate individuals to monitor closely personnel who have transported SARS patients for evidence of fever or respiratory illness. If they are part of the hospital staff, the designated hospital physician should include EMT personnel who transport SARS patients among the exposed HCWs who should be assessed at least twice daily for 14 days after transporting a SARS patient.

· Personnel who have transported SARS patient and become symptomatic within the 14-day follow-up period should be directed to seek medical evaluation and should be reported.