Development of Model Infectious Disease Protocols for Fire andEMS Personnel

Abstract

Objective. To develop model infectious disease exposure plans for emergency medical services agencies in King County, Washington. Methods. All fire departments in King County, Washington, were surveyed to determine their pathogen exposure policies. After these agencies were surveyed, model response plans were developed for both bloodborne andairborne pathogen exposure. Results. Twenty-four of the 35 fire departments in King County submitted infectious disease exposure policies. There was diversity among the plans, andnot all were deemed able to provide prophylaxis in a timely fashion. Based on this lack of uniformity among response plans, model response plans were developed for bloodborne andairborne infectious disease pathogens. Conclusion. Great variety was present throughout the exposure plans currently in use throughout King County, Washington. Model plans would likely universalize response to pathogen exposure andhelp to ensure prompt andappropriate postexposure prophylaxis.

Keywords:

• post-exposure prophylaxis
• health care provider
• HIV
• hepatitis
• bloodborne pathogen