“The unpredictable and emergent nature of exposures encountered by emergency and public-safety workers may make differentiation between hazardous body fluids and those which are not hazardous very difficult and often impossible. For example, poor lighting may limit the worker’s ability to detect visible blood in vomitus or feces. Therefore, when emergency medical and public-safety workers encounter body fluids under uncontrolled, emergency circumstances in which differentiation between fluid types is difficult, if not impossible, they should treat all body fluids as potentially hazardous.”
You must protect yourself from infection in the field, as you may encounter countless diseases, including MRSA, Zika, influenza, C. diff, HIV, and more. It is important to not just wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when treating patients—you also need to deploy products in the field to reduce the risk of cross-contamination and aid in safe patient transport. Single-use (disposable) products, such as sheets and blankets, offer durability and ease-of-use without sacrificing comfort and protection for both the patient and you, the EMS professional.
These products include the following, all of which are disposable:
Fitted Sheets and Equipment Covers
Graham Medical provides emergency responders with disposable, single-use products that provide many benefits:
In sum, you recognize your duty as a healthcare professional to prevent the transmission of infection and reduce the risk of cross-contamination for the people you serve. You need to utilize the same level of caution to protect yourself.
Graham Medical is proud to be able to help our first responders protect themselves as well as their patients. For more information, contact us here or call us at (800) 558-6765.