Via ems.gov
A new report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) aims to help educate EMS clinicians about the latest evidence on infectious pathogen exposure among the EMS workforce. These evidence-based recommendations address the prevention, recognition and control of infectious diseases and other related exposures for EMS clinicians.
Key findings in this new resource, “Infection Prevention and Control for the Emergency Medical Services and 911 Workforce,” include:
- EMS clinicians are at higher risk for exposure to infectious diseases compared to other frontline workers.
- Regular hand hygiene decreases the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
- Standard precautions, such as gloves, decrease the chance of needlestick exposures.
- This report was released by the Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPCs) at the AHRQ. This project is supported by NHTSA’s Office of EMS, which strives to reduce death and disability by providing leadership and coordination to the EMS community in assessing, planning, developing, and promoting comprehensive, evidence-based emergency medical services and 911 systems.
Read the report here.