UTSW/BioTel EMS TRAINING BULLETIN
October 2014

EMS TB 14-009 Hospital Destination Guidelines for Patients at Risk for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)  (PDF Here)

 

Purpose:

To provide decision-making guidance to UTSW/BioTel EMS Providers regarding receiving-hospital destinations when transporting patients from the field who are known risks, or who may be at risk for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). This applies only to EMS patient transports resulting from “911” calls, and does not apply to inter-facility transfers.


Background:

Recent events surrounding the confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Dallas have prompted minor modifications of the current UTSW/BioTel EMS System Destination Policy. This Training Bulletin includes additional notification procedures to facilitate communication with, and preparations by, between the Dallas County Health and Human Services (“Dallas County Health Department”) and receiving hospitals.
Refer to UTSW/BioTel EMS TB 14-006 EBOLA and to the UTSW/BioTel EMS System Destination Policy for additional information.

Destination Guidelines:

  1. NON-CRITICAL patients with fever and flu-like symptoms, or other risk factors for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), but who report that they are NOT currently being monitored by the Dallas County Health Department for possible EVD:
    1. Follow the UTSW/BioTel EMS System Destination Policy, per routine.
    2. Notify BioTel and/or the receiving hospital directly, as soon as possible, either on-scene or en route.
  1. NON-CRITICAL patients – regardless of symptoms – who report that they ARE currently being monitored by the Dallas County Health Department for possible EVD:
    1. Contact the Dallas County Health Department directly at 214-677-7899 for assistance with destination decision-making.
    2. Notify BioTel and/or the receiving hospital directly, as soon as possible, either on-scene or en route.
  1. CRITICAL patients with fever and flu-like symptoms, or other risk factors for EVD:
    1. Follow the UTSW/BioTel EMS System Destination Policy, per routine.
    2. Limit invasive procedures, especially Aerosol Generating Procedures (such as intubation, CPAP or airway suctioning) and vascular access procedures, ONLY to those patients for whom they are critically necessary.
    3. Notify BioTel and/or the receiving hospital directly, as soon as possible, either on-scene or en route.
    4. If information is available that the patient is being monitored by the Dallas County Health Department for possible Ebola Virus Disease, this information MUST ALSO be communicated immediately to BioTel and/or directly to the receiving hospital, either on-scene or en route.
    5. Once patient care has been transferred to the receiving hospital, EMS Providers shall immediately contact both the Dallas County Health Department directly at 214-677-7899 and their EMS Supervisor.