HomeMy WebLinkAbout203.010 - Infection Control
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES MANUAL
HEALTH AND SAFETY
203.010 INFECTION CONTROL
EFFECTIVE: AUGUST 2007
Current Revision Date: 11/19/19 Next Revision Date: 11/19/21
Author’s Name/Rank: Kevin Reynolds, Captain Review Level:
Administrative Support:
Leslie Oulashian,
Management Analyst II
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to provide Fresno Fire Department (FFD or
Department) members a comprehensive infection control program that maximizes
protection against communicable diseases.
APPLICATION
This policy applies to all members providing fire, rescue, and/or emergency medical
services.
The goals of the program are to identify tasks and corresponding job classifications
for which it can be reasonably anticipated an exposure to blood, other body fluids, or
other potentially infectious materials may occur; to establish a training/vaccination
schedule for the Department's infection control plan; and identify the procedure for
the evaluation of circumstances surrounding exposure incidents.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
It is the policy of the Department to:
1. Provide fire, rescue, and emergency medical services to the public
without regard to known or suspected diagnosis of communicable
disease in any patient.
2. Regard all patient contacts as potentially infectious. Universal
precautions will be observed at all times and will be expanded to
include all body fluids and other potentially infectious material.
3. Provide all members with the necessary training, immunizations, and
personal protective equipment (PPE) needed for protection from
communicable diseases.
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4. Recognize the need for work restrictions based on infection control
concerns.
5. Prohibit discrimination of any member for health reasons, including
infection and/or development of evidence of antibody response
(seroconversion) to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV).
6. Regard all medical information as strictly confidential. Health
information will not ordinarily be released without the signed written
consent of the member.
Roles And Responsibilities:
Fire Chief: Responsible for the health and welfare of all FFD members. The tasks
of managing the Department's Infection Control Program are delegated to
appropriate staff officers and the Safety Committee.
Department Infectious Control Officer (DICO): The Department EMS Officer is the
primary Department Infection Control Officer. The Department Infection Control
Officer will:
1. Serve as the Department's “Designated Officer" as required by the
Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Act of 1990
(PL 101-381).
2. In conjunction with the Safety Committee, develop criteria for the
purchase of infection control personal protective equipment and
determine adequate stock for each station and response vehicle.
3. Evaluate possible member exposures to communicable diseases and
coordinate communications between the Department, area hospitals,
and the Fresno County Health Services Agency.
4. Collect quality assurance/improvement data on the Department
Infection Control Program and present data to the Safety Committee
at quarterly meetings.
5. Notify the Department Health and Wellness Officer if quality
assurance/improvement data indicate a safety hazard requiring
immediate attention.
6. Conduct spot inspections of on-scene and station operations to
ensure compliance with Department Infection Control Program.
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7. Coordinate an immunization program for the Department and
maintain immunization records at headquarters.
8. Maintain a confidential database of exposures and treatment given.
9. Provide technical expertise to the Training Division in development of
the infection control curriculum.
10. Keep abreast of new developments in the field of infection control
and make appropriate recommendations to the Safety Committee.
11. In conjunction with the Safety Committee, develop and deliver a
comprehensive infection control educational program, which
complies with Cal-OSHA regulations. Technical assistance is to be
provided by the Infection Control Officer.
Chief Officers and Company Officers will:
1. Support and enforce compliance with the Infection Control Program.
2. Correct any unsafe acts and refer members for remedial infection
control training, if required.
3. Mandate safe operating practices on-scene and in-station.
4. Refer for medical evaluation, any member possibly unfit for work due
to infection control or other health reasons.
5. Company officers are not to allow new members to assume
emergency response duties until initial medical evaluation,
Hepatitis B training, and infection control training has been
completed.
All members will:
1. Assume responsibility for personal health and safety.
2. Always use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as the
situation dictates.
3. Report any suspected occupational exposure to communicable
disease to immediate supervisor.
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OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
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PROCESS
Exposure Determination:
The following tasks are reasonably anticipated to involve exposure to blood, body
fluids, or other potentially infectious materials:
1. Provisions of emergency medical care to injured or ill patients.
2. Rescue of victims from hostile environments, including burning
structures or vehicles, water, and contaminated and/or oxygen
deficient atmospheres.
3. Extrication of persons from vehicles, machinery, or collapsed
excavations or structures.
4. Recovery and/or removal of bodies from any situations cited above.
5. Response to hazardous materials emergencies, both transportation
and fixed-site, involving potentially infectious substances.
INFORMATION
The Department recognizes communicable disease exposure an occupational health
hazard. Communicable disease transmission is possible during any aspect of
emergency response, including in-station operations. The health and welfare of
each member is a joint concern of the member, the chain of command, and the
Department. While each member is ultimately responsible for his/her own health,
the Department recognizes a responsibility to provide as safe a workplace as
possible. The goal of this program is to provide all members with the best available
protection from occupationally acquired communicable diseases.
DEFINITIONS
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CROSS-REFERENCES
Standard Operating Procedures Manual
Section 203.010a, Health Maintenance
Section 203.010b, Infection Control Training
Section 203.010c, Personal Protective Equipment
Section 203.010d, Scene Operations
Section 203.010f, Post-Response
Section 203.010g, Post-Exposure Protocols
Section 203.010h, Station Environment
Section 203.010i, Compliance and Quality Monitoring/Program Evaluation
Section 203.007, Injury and Illness Prevention Program
California Code of Regulations
OSHA Title 8, Section 5193, Bloodborne Pathogens
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