EMS1 Article – Elbow bumps are the new hugs
EMS1 article by Mike Taigman - Coronavirus spread in an already busy flu season calls staffing contingency plans and a commitment to hygiene and PPE
COVID-19 Process/Policy Template
The intention of the COVID-19 Process/Policy Template is to provide agencies, medical directors, or others who want to utilize it, an outline/template on which to build an agency-specific policy/protocol to address COVID-19. This includes suggestions for development and/or oversight committees, outside partners and stakeholders, as well as preparation and process for EMS workers who provide best practice care for patients as well as providing for the protection of pre-hospital providers and medical director(s). Its application is totally up to the user. This document...
Coronavirus: 2 dozen first responders quarantined in Washington state
WSB-TV - Article and Video: Two dozen emergency workers in Washington state are off the job as they are being monitored for possible exposure to the coronavirus. (KIRO7.com)
COVID-19 Revised CDC Definition Feb 27, 2020
Executive Summary: A revised Criteria to Guide Evaluation of PUI for COVID-19 and Footnotes have been developed by the CDC to better define what currently makes a person fall into ‘A Person Under Investigation Status’ (aka Case Definition). It consists of an Introduction, the Criteria Chart, List of Affected Geographic Areas of Widespread or Sustained Community Spread, and Footnotes to clarify specific application. Download the Full Update
Keeping Your Employees Safe – NIOSH COVID-19 – Feb 15, 2020
Executive Summary: The CDC considers this COVID-19 outbreak to be, “an emerging, rapidly evolving situation. The CDC/NIOSH have published a webpage with links to resources for the protection of workers to be used by a variety of industries. Download the pdf
COVID-19 Webinar, including pediatric discussion, with Paramedic Chiefs of Canada on Wednesday, February 26th, 2020
This Paramedic Chiefs of Canada (PCC) webinar is presented in conjunction with the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED), and FirstWatch. View Webinar Recording View Webinar Slides (PDF Format) Additional Resources Mentioned During the Webinar: COVID-19 Update 2/25/20 Questions and Answers Description: This webinar was the 3rd COVID-19 webinar and provided an update on COVID-19, specifically as it relates to emergency call centers, paramedic and EMS services, and other responders. Also presented, the pediatric implications and potential EMS system impacts to support advanced planning. Like most disaster pre-planning...
COVID-19 PCC Webinar #2 – Presentation Supporting Documents – URL & Resources
This list of URLs provides current, as of 2/12/20, URL links to both Canadian (PHAC) and American (CDC) COVID-19 Case Definitions, including a rapid use CDC Flowchart for ID and Assessment, CDC Interim EMS and PSAP Guidance, and Interim Guidance for All Health Care Workers. There are also links to Home Pages with links to a wide variety of COVID-19 information, and helpful Appendices from PHAC’s Routine & Additional Precautions Guidelines. Paramedic Chiefs of Canada (PCC) COVID-19 Webinar #2 -...
Coronavirus Webinar with Paramedic Chiefs of Canada on Thursday, February 13th, 2020 | Recording and Handouts
2nd PCC Webcast in a Series: 2019-nCoV "Coronavirus" - Feb-13-2020 View Webinar Recording View Webinar Slides (PDF format) Download Webinar Slides (PowerPoint format, for your teaching purposes) Additional Resources Mentioned During the Webinar: This list of URLs provides current, as of 2/12/20, URL links to both Canadian (PHAC) and American (CDC) COVID-19 Case Definitions, including a rapid use CDC Flowchart for ID and Assessment, CDC Interim EMS and PSAP Guidance, and Interim Guidance for All Health Care Workers. There are also links to Home Pages...
NIOSH Warns of Counterfeit Particulate Respirators Feb 4, 2020
IN THE NEWS Executive Summary: The CDC and NIOSH have reported counterfeit respirators being sold on the open market with various methods of NIOSH Approval misrepresentation in the way of pictures and descriptions. Full Report: NIOSH-Approved N95 or better masks are the mainstay of preventing airborne diseases from being transmitted and is the minimum required mask for health care workers when Airborne Precautions are in place (such as for suspected 2019-nCoV patients). They must be individually Fit Tested after a medical evaluation to assure...
EMS1 Article – Quick Take: Transporting Patient One – Coronavirus in the US
EMS1 Article by Rob Lawrence. Snohomish County, Washington, officials describe the EMS transport of the first confirmed 2019-nCoV patient in the U.S.
1st Coronavirus Webinar with Paramedic Chiefs of Canada on Monday, February 3rd, 2020 | Recording and Handouts
PCC Webcast: 2019-nCoV "Coronavirus" - Emerging Infectious Disease - Feb-3-2020 View Webinar Recording View Webinar Slides Additional Resources Mentioned During the Webinar: Novel Coronavirus 2019-nCoV – What Public Safety/First Responders Can Do Resource URLs for Public Safety Worker-Related Agencies & Organizations EMS1 Article by Rob Lawrence. Snohomish County, Washington, officials describe the EMS transport of the first confirmed 2019-nCoV patient in the U.S. Quick Take: Transporting Patient One – Coronavirus in the US Description: FirstWatch helped the Paramedic Chiefs of Canada (PCC) host an informational webinar on the 2019-nCoV...
Novel Coronavirus 2019-nCoV – What Public Safety/First Responders Can Do
What First Responders Can Do Feb-3-2020: The information in the attached PDF is designed to assist EMS and other First Responders, but may contain information not complete or applicable to a particular agency or situation. All stakeholders should review pertinent national public health and WHO documents to ensure complete knowledge. Download the pdf
Coronavirus 2019-nCoV URL Resources Feb 2, 2020
Coronavirus Resource URLs for Public Safety Organizations: Link to the IAED EIDS Tool for 2019-nCoV: https://www.emergencydispatch.org/coronavirus-2019-nCoV OSHA Recommendations for 2019-nCoV: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/novel_coronavirus/ FEMA on 2019-nCoV: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/operations/infograms/012320.html NAEMSP Recommendations for 2019-nCoV: https://naemsp.org/home/news/ems-considerations-for-coronavirus/ FireRescue1 Presents the IAFC List of Resources for 2019n-CoV including the NHTSA Office of EMS01: Guidance for the novel virus: https://www.firerescue1.com/fire-chief/articles/iafc-compiles-wuhan-coronavirus-resources-for-fire-ems-leaders-pjDd627JV7ana0sZ/ IAFF Recommendations for 2019-nCoV: https://www.iaff.org/coronavirus/ HHS ASPR/Tracie EMS Infection Control Handbook (not limited to Coronavirus): https://files.asprtracie.hhs.gov/documents/aspr-tracie-transport-playbook-508.pdf WHO, PHAC, and CDC Resources for 2019-nCoV: WHO Home Page with Links to Other Resources including Daily Situation Reports: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 Public Health Agency of Canada Home Page with Links to Multiple...
Coronavirus Travel Alert & Screenings in the US & the WHO Erred in its Assessment of Risk
Executive Summary: The CDC has announced that U.S. Travel Alert Status in now at Level 3 – All non-essential travel to China should be avoided. The CDC has also expanded airport screening to more airports, for a total of 18 and to two border crossing sites. The WHO has repaired a mistake in wording, regarding risk of 2019-nCoV disease to areas. The correct WHO risk assessment is Very High Risk (raised from High) in China, High Risk in the Region &...
Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Update 1/26/20
IN THE NEWS The 2019-nCoV situation is a rapidly changing one with almost constant news media reports, situation reports, revised information and guidelines, travel bans and recommendations, and more. Reports of new cases, including where the case was identified (country, state, province, county, etc.), travel or other specific information associated with the new patient, and a running total of suspected cases, confirmed cases, deaths caused by the virus, and other case information is often published in one form or another. This...
First case of Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Toronto, Canada
IN THE NEWS Toronto Health Officials have announced the first case of 2019-nCoV in Canada. The patient travelled from Wuhan City and arrived in Toronto on January 22nd and was transported by our customer, Toronto Paramedic Services.
Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Update 1/24/20
IN THE NEWS The emergence of a novel disease is always a rapidly changing situation and FirstWatch will attempt to be your clearinghouse of important information for planning and on-going operational activity as well as ongoing infection prevention control for your 1st Responders, Staff and Citizens. We will provide and update information, as well as recommendations from expert governmental and public health experts, as it becomes available. We’ll try to keep current and include the information that may have an impact...
1st Case of Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the United States
IN THE NEWS The CDC and the State of Washington Department of Health in coordination with the Snohomish Health District posted news releases of the first U.S. case of the novel coronavirus that was first identified in Wuhan, China and was reported to the WHO on December 31, 2019. Most cases were initially associated with a Wuhan Seafood and Animal (dead & alive) Market. Many of the initial cases were vendors at that market, but there has also been limited human...
