Associated Ambulance

16110 – 112 Ave. Edmonton, AB T5M 2W1 Box 419 Mayerthorpe, AB T0E 1N0

(780) 429-6771 Fax (780) 424-0118 (780) 786-2223 Fax (780) 786-2619

Memorandum- Ebola Preparedness

Date: October 28, 2014

Attn: All Frontline Staff

Hello everyone,

As you are all aware we are on heightened awareness with an Ebola outbreak currently ongoing in African regions. The risk to Canadians at this time remains low, but the risk does exist and we need to be preparedas EMS workersand Healthcare centers will be the first point of contact with these patients.

AHS currently has dedicated two ambulances to the transport of these patients, and dispatch centers have added additional screening. With these new measures in place we are hopeful that the risk of exposure to our frontline staff will remain low. If by chance you are presented with a patient that you suspect may be infected with the virus

(Suspect Criteria = pt has travelled to any of the 4 hot zones or been exposed to somebody that has travelled to these regions within the last 21 days and has a body temp >38.6 c)you are to contact dispatch to determine the next course of action whether it be to await a specialized transport unit or perhaps transport to a designated facility using the PPE provided in your infection control kit.

Each frontline ambulance is to have a plastic fully sealable infection control kit containing the following items:

-Blue impermeable gowns

-Full face shield

-Laminated AHSEMS PPE donning and doffing instruction posters (are being created at fleet and will be in bins for pick up)

-Spare Safety glasses

-Spare N95 masks

-Surgical masks

-Hand sanitizer

-Extra Large Ziploc bag to store and seal pts belongings

After any suspected exposure you must contact your Operations Supervisor who will contact the on call Operations Manager via phone call, so we can get the post exposure process started and determine the next most appropriate course of action.

An accelerated Peroxide solution such as PerCept wipes are considered acceptable for disinfection of the ambulance and equipment. Do not return to service until advised by the On call Operations Manager that you are safe to do so.

We thank you for your continued service and look forward to working hard to keep everybody safe during these trying times.

Take Care,

Nichole Fisher, EMT-P

Operations Manager