The EMS “TSA Screening” for Ebola

There is a lot of information going around about Ebola, and making sure providers are safe is critical. As part of measures to protect ourselves, our patients and our families, we need to work together to provide the resources, training and skillsets to every frontline provider so they can easily remember what to do to prevent the spread of Ebola.

At my agency, we screen every patient contact we have with the quick EMS “TSA Screening” for Ebola as outlined below.

EMS “TSA Screening” for Ebola

For everyone’s safety, we need to make sure we are following the appropriate measures in the event of a potential Ebola patient exposure. Special additional equipment has been added to every ambulance including additional eye protection, face protection and Tyvek suits. As a quick way to ensure we remember to screen EVERY patient we come in contact with remember TSA:

T (Travel): Have you traveled in the past 21 days outside of the country? If so, where?  

S (Signs & symptoms): Does the patient have or is complaining of fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, other signs and symptoms associate with Ebola?

A (Advance PPE): If you suspect a potential Ebola exposure, protect yourself and your patient with advanced PPE. Cover the patient’s and provider’s airway with mask; take additional protective measures including Tyvek suits, gloves, masks and eye protection, and limit the number of providers with the patient if possible while ensuring appropriate resources are with the patient to provide patient care.

Here are some other practices agencies should employ:

Check lists: We have a step-by-step check list on every ambulance to help ensure provider and patient safety. During a stressful situation, we want to ensure nothing is forgotten in regard to safety and exposure precautions.

Buddy system: Use the “buddy system” when possible when working with a potential Ebola patient. This means you watch your partner/buddy to ensure they don’t rip any part of the PPE while providing care. In addition, you will watch each other while donning or doffing your PPE to ensure each item is put on and taken off correctly. The buddy system is a method to help ensure provider safety and the safety of OUR family members.

Driving: In order to ensure your safety, if the front cab of your ambulance is not completely separated from the patient compartment, consider the appropriate PPE that should be worn to protect you while driving your vehicle. If you are in the environment with the patient you must make sure you are protected.

System check: As part of the compliance process, don’t be afraid to test the system. Many hospitals have already used “secret patients” (like a secret shopper) that have presented to EMS crews or hospital staff like a normal emergency call in order to test the system, the response and to monitor how to improve to ensure 100% protection to all providers. Consider how important it can be to know where your strengths and your gaps may be in the process.

Ryan Greenberg has focused his career on building hospital-based EMS systems across the northeast, while remaining an active paramedic, firefighter, educator and EMS advocate. He is a board member for the National EMS Management Association and is currently the EMS division chief for a regional trauma center in northern New Jersey.