Bradley County EMS Reviews And Drills For Infectious Diseases

With the growing concerns of infectious disease, Bradley County EMS is being proactive and reviewing their infectious disease protocols. Current policies and procedures are being reviewed and updated. Personal protection equipment has been updated as well to provide the best protection to the EMS responders.

Emergency responders are exposed to a variety of contaminates on a daily basis. The use of personal protection equipment is nothing new to these responders. They are trained in relation to all of the dangers when it comes to airborne and blood borne pathogens that could be transmitted by patients.

Each ambulance has been inventoried to assure that there is adequate protection equipment for each responder.

“The personal protection equipment that we have provided meets all CDC standards and guidelines for infection control protection. We want to make sure that all of our personnel and patients that we care for are safe when it comes to infection control,” said Frank Abel, EMS Infection Control officer.

“The dangers of infectious diseases are nothing new when it comes to the world of emergency response. With so much attention of late to happenings across the globe and the upcoming flu season, we have simply reassessed our infection control policies to assure high quality protection for everyone,” said Stan Clark, EMS spokesperson.

Bradley County EMS recently participated in an infectious disease drill with Sky Ridge Medical Center. EMS personnel suited up in protective gear during a mock scenario that involved a mannequin as a patient. The scenario had the participants go through the entire decontamination process for the pretend patient and the responders.

“The drill was a huge success. Having practice drills like this reinforces the procedures and practices that are in place. This was another prime example of the great cooperation between our local hospital and Bradley County EMS” Chief Danny Lawson, EMS Director.