- Reaction score
- 1,512
- Points
- 1,260
Lots of political opinions on this subject.
Posting in Emergency Services hoping to focus the discussion ( if any ) on Emergency Operations, rather than politics.
Specifically, Influenza Control.
Although influenza vaccination is no longer mandatory, as it was when I was on the job, there is still influenza control in Ontario emergency services.
Do these same standards apply in other provinces?
Influenza Control
1. Each operator shall ensure that each paramedic receives an annual educational review with respect to the transmission of and protection from influenza. This review shall include:
a. information on the personal, patient care, and public health benefits of anannual influenza vaccination;
b. procedures to prevent exposure to influenza;
c. procedures to protect patients from exposure to influenza; and
d. any other information, procedure, or matter relevant to transmission and protection.
2. Each operator shall ensure that, as of November 15 every year, or such other date as may be established and communicated in writing by the Director, Emergency Health Regulatory and Accountability Branch (EHRAB) each paramedic,
a. provides a valid certificate signed by a physician or delegate that states that he or she has been vaccinated against influenza, or that such vaccination is medically contraindicated; or
b. provides a written statement that he or she has taken the educational review and has not been, and does not intend to be, vaccinated against influenza.
3. Each operator shall ensure that:
a. during a declared influenza outbreak in respect of any geographic areaspecified in the declaration, including but not limited to a health care facility, an unvaccinated paramedic will not be allowed to respond to a request for ambulance service in that area or facility during the outbreak, unless he or she has been vaccinated or receives his or her vaccination at the time of the outbreak and takes antiviral medication immediately prior to the time at which the paramedic is to provide service.
b. in an emergency situation, and where no other qualified paramedic is available to provide service during a declared influenza outbreak in such specified geographic area or facility, a paramedic who has not been vaccinated against influenza, or who has not been taking antiviral medication immediately prior to the time at which the paramedic is to provide service, will not be allowed to provide patient care in that area or facility unless the paramedic wears on each call:
i. gloves (single pair);
ii. mask;
iii. eye protection;
and, for any patient where there is significant risk of being splashed by bodyfluids (e.g. vomiting, uncontrolled hemorrhage, excessive coughing) also wears on each call:
iv. long-sleeved gown/coveralls.
4. Each operator shall, no later than November 30 every year, or such other date as may be established and communicated in writing by the Director, EmergencyHealth Program Management and Delivery Branch (EHPMDB), report to the local Senior Field Manager of EHPMDB the following:
a. the total number of active paramedics employed by the operator;
b. the number of paramedics that have provided a valid certificate signed by a physician or delegate that states that he or she has been vaccinated against influenza;
c. the number of EMAs and paramedics that have provided a valid certificate signed by a physician or delegate that states that vaccination is medically contraindicated;
d. the number of paramedics that signed the written statement that he or she has taken the annual educational review and has not been, and does not intend to be, immunized against influenza.
Posting in Emergency Services hoping to focus the discussion ( if any ) on Emergency Operations, rather than politics.
Specifically, Influenza Control.
Although influenza vaccination is no longer mandatory, as it was when I was on the job, there is still influenza control in Ontario emergency services.
Do these same standards apply in other provinces?
Influenza Control
1. Each operator shall ensure that each paramedic receives an annual educational review with respect to the transmission of and protection from influenza. This review shall include:
a. information on the personal, patient care, and public health benefits of anannual influenza vaccination;
b. procedures to prevent exposure to influenza;
c. procedures to protect patients from exposure to influenza; and
d. any other information, procedure, or matter relevant to transmission and protection.
2. Each operator shall ensure that, as of November 15 every year, or such other date as may be established and communicated in writing by the Director, Emergency Health Regulatory and Accountability Branch (EHRAB) each paramedic,
a. provides a valid certificate signed by a physician or delegate that states that he or she has been vaccinated against influenza, or that such vaccination is medically contraindicated; or
b. provides a written statement that he or she has taken the educational review and has not been, and does not intend to be, vaccinated against influenza.
3. Each operator shall ensure that:
a. during a declared influenza outbreak in respect of any geographic areaspecified in the declaration, including but not limited to a health care facility, an unvaccinated paramedic will not be allowed to respond to a request for ambulance service in that area or facility during the outbreak, unless he or she has been vaccinated or receives his or her vaccination at the time of the outbreak and takes antiviral medication immediately prior to the time at which the paramedic is to provide service.
b. in an emergency situation, and where no other qualified paramedic is available to provide service during a declared influenza outbreak in such specified geographic area or facility, a paramedic who has not been vaccinated against influenza, or who has not been taking antiviral medication immediately prior to the time at which the paramedic is to provide service, will not be allowed to provide patient care in that area or facility unless the paramedic wears on each call:
i. gloves (single pair);
ii. mask;
iii. eye protection;
and, for any patient where there is significant risk of being splashed by bodyfluids (e.g. vomiting, uncontrolled hemorrhage, excessive coughing) also wears on each call:
iv. long-sleeved gown/coveralls.
4. Each operator shall, no later than November 30 every year, or such other date as may be established and communicated in writing by the Director, EmergencyHealth Program Management and Delivery Branch (EHPMDB), report to the local Senior Field Manager of EHPMDB the following:
a. the total number of active paramedics employed by the operator;
b. the number of paramedics that have provided a valid certificate signed by a physician or delegate that states that he or she has been vaccinated against influenza;
c. the number of EMAs and paramedics that have provided a valid certificate signed by a physician or delegate that states that vaccination is medically contraindicated;
d. the number of paramedics that signed the written statement that he or she has taken the annual educational review and has not been, and does not intend to be, immunized against influenza.
