EMS Pandemic Influenza Guidelines for Statewide Adoption were published in May 2007. Nearly two years later EMS agencies are revisiting those guidelines as public concern and media attention about Swine Influenza A (H1N1) grows.
EMS Managers should revisit their pandemic influenza plans and make sure the following planning and preparation efforts are underway:
- Suitable on-site supply of PPE
- Agreements with vendors for delivery of additional PPE supplies
- Employee/volunteer training and notification about cases of H1N1 in local service area
- Posting descriptions of H1N1 signs and symptoms on bulletin boards, internal intranets, and public websites
- Review and prepare pre-arrival instructions for patients reporting H1N1 signs and symptoms
- Consult with medical director and local hospitals about on-scene treatments, need to transport symptomatic patients that are not emergently ill, and transport destination for symptomatic patients
This is a dyanamic and changing public health event. Look to some of these websites for the most current and reliable information.
EMS providers – http://www.ems.gov
General public – http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
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