G-COMD Coomunicable Diseases Part 2

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary concern regarding patient information about exposures?

Timely information gathering
Communicating with the hospital
Respecting patient privacy (correct)
Firefighter safety

What should TFS personnel do after a potentially significant exposure?

Accompany the patient to the hospital in the ambulance unit (correct)
Contact the hospital directly
Proceed to a nearby hospital
Report to the Fire Chief immediately

Who can act as a Designated Officer for TFS?

TFS Chief Medical Officer only
TFS Infection Control Practitioner or their designate
TFS personnel trained as Designated Officers and under the designation of the Fire Chief
All of the above (correct)

What is the role of the TFS Communications Centre in the event of a potential exposure?

To contact the Designated Officer (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in assessing a potential communicable disease exposure?

Reviewing the situation and circumstances (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of contacting the Designated Officer in the event of a potential exposure?

To receive specific instructions on the appropriate assessment and treatment of the exposure (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Company Officer in the event of a potential exposure?

To contact the Designated Officer (A) Signup and view all the answers

When should consultation with the Chief Medical Officer occur?

Whenever an exposure has or is possible to have occurred (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the Designated Officer?

To advocate for the treatment available to the firefighter in an appropriate time frame (A) Signup and view all the answers

What should an exposed firefighter do if they require immediate medical attention?

Proceed to the hospital with the source patient (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Chief Medical Officer in the exposure protocol?

To work with the City of Toronto Corporate Employee Health Services (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why should personnel not contact other TFS personnel directly regarding potential exposure?

Because information on the street is often incorrect (C) Signup and view all the answers

What should an exposed firefighter do to report their exposure?

Complete a Worker's Report of Suspected Exposure and forward it to the Office of the TFS Chief Medical Officer (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why should the Designated Officer be contacted through the TFS Communications Centre?

Because the Designated Officer can speak with the receiving hospital before the patient is discharged (A) Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the completed Worker's Report of Suspected Exposure?

It is kept confidential and deposited in the member's TFS medical file (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why may follow-up testing for a communicable/infectious disease be necessary?

Because the testing may continue from several months to years (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Chief Officers in the exposure protocol?

To shuttle the Worker's Report of Suspected Exposure to the Designated Officer or Chief Medical Officer (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Designated Officer contacting personnel at home?

To leave a message to contact the Designated Officer (A) Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Exposure Notifications

Patient information regarding exposures is highly confidential, and the Designated Officer Protocols are designed to obtain vital information in a timely manner while respecting the patient's right to privacy.

Steps for TFS Personnel with a Potentially Significant Exposure

Proceed to the same hospital as the patient by accompanying the patient in the ambulance unit, if possible.
The Company Officer shall contact the TFS Communications Centre to access a Designated Officer.
Receive specific instructions from the Designated Officer on the appropriate assessment and treatment of the exposure.

Designated Officers

Designated Officers for TFS include the TFS Chief Medical Officer, TFS Infection Control Practitioner, or TFS personnel trained as Designated Officers.
The Designated Officer will assess whether an exposure has occurred, advise on the appropriate care plan, and advocate for the treatment available to the firefighter.

Protocols for Exposures

If an exposure requires immediate medical attention, the exposed firefighter should proceed to the same hospital as the patient in the paramedic unit.
The Designated Officer will assist the concerned firefighter with authorized investigation, exposure risk evaluation, and suggested medical follow-up.
The Chief Medical Officer has worked with the City of Toronto Corporate Employee Health Services to institute protocols for specific infectious disease exposures.

Reporting Exposures

Each exposed Firefighter shall complete a Worker's Report of Suspected Exposure (Haz Mat or Pathogens) and forward it to the Office of the TFS Chief Medical Officer as quickly as possible.
The completed Worker's Report of Suspected Exposure will be deposited in the member's TFS medical file, where it remains confidential.

Follow-up and Confidentiality

Follow-up testing for a communicable/infectious disease can continue for several months to years.
The Designated Officer will maintain confidentiality and may contact personnel at home, leaving a message to contact them if necessary.
The Communications Centre shall contact the Designated Officer(s) or their approved alternates with confidential information.