Emergency Preparedness

Appendix H.5 – HID

Kern Medical Emergency Preparedness

 Decontaminate as necessary unless decontamination of equipment, or portions of such equipment, is not feasible (defer to infection control policy and manufacturer recommendations for cleaning and sterilization).  When possible, soiled portions of equipment that do not require repair/ maintenance are to be removed and retained in the Unit  Pre-cleaning/decontamination of equipment can be accomplished with a variety of agents after removal of visible soil. Only EPA-registered agents approved by the Infection Control Committee will be used. • Risk Assessment  Travel to high-risk areas is one of the risk factors for transmission; these guidelines address patients who are considered at high risk for a highly infectious disease who meet travel criteria as determined by the CDC. Exposure to a known highly infectious disease patient has also been included in this assessment. This document should be used in conjunction with the highly infectious disease screening algorithm (addendum A) in place for the ED. Upon arrival to one of the identified entry points into the system, patients will be screened for travel history within 30 days, or having contact with anyone with a travel history and symptoms consistent with any highly infectious disease. • Emergency Department Walk-Ins  Upon patient arrival at the Emergency Department, the Quick look nurse or triage nurse will ask patients if they have a travel history or have been in contact with someone who has traveled to any area of concern as determined by the CDC in the last 30 days. If the patient answers yes they will be asked to put a mask on. The staff and the patient will perform hand hygiene.  If the patient states that they have any symptoms (ie. fever,rash, cough), the nurse will notify the charge nurse who will notify security to help with transport. During this time the charge nurse will help ready the room for the patient.  The quick look nurse will then escort the patient to room #1512 (while keeping a distance of at least 3 feet away).  The designated room will have a disposable digital thermometer and access to a translator phone to allow for further screening without entering the isolation room.  If the patient has signs or symptoms (ie. fever, rash, cough) after having a medical screening exam and further investigation, and has traveled to or been in contact with someone who has traveled to an area of concern, the nurse will immediately notify the charge nurse to activate a CODE 300. Please refer to section V Procedure. E. Activation of Code 300  Appropriate signs will be posted on the designated room doors.  At this point the door will be closed and the staff member must immediately

Procedure:

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