Hoffman Estates Fire Department Standard Operating Guidelines PDF

HOFFMAN ESTATES FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES SOG Category & Identification Number: EFFECTIVE DATE: SAFETY OPERATIONS – 006 January 1, 2022 NIMS COMPLIANT SOG Title: I...

HOFFMAN ESTATES FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES SOG Category & Identification Number: EFFECTIVE DATE: SAFETY OPERATIONS – 006 January 1, 2022 NIMS COMPLIANT SOG Title: Infection Control Program Revision: 3 APPROVED BY: NUMBER OF PAGES: Re-evaluation Date: Alan Wax January 1, 2025 Fire Chief 3 PURPOSE POLICY A. Immunizations All department members are responsible to follow EMS system policies and guidelines relating to immunizations. B. Exposure to Infection and Communicable Disease All department members are responsible to follow department and EMS policies and communicable disease during the course of their department activities. These guidelines relate to the completion of written accident reports. In guidelines whenever personnel have sustained an exposure to infection and addition to completing written reports, personnel are responsible for the following notifications: 1. Exposed personnel are responsible to notify the Designated Infection Control Officer (DICO). This notification must take place as soon as possible after the awareness of the exposure. C. Emergency Medical Operations Protection 1. All department personnel shall follow EMS system policies and guidelines regarding the wearing and use of infection control garments and equipment. These garments are currently comprised of CPR masks, medical gloves, masks, splash resistant eyewear, and fluid resistant clothing. This equipment has been provided on each ambulance and fire suppression apparatus and is under the supervision of the Designated Infection Control Officer (DICO). 2. In addition, all apparatus are equipped with respiratory assistance equipment which is to be used for performing airway management according to EMS system policies and guidelines. Proper use of this equipment will help reduce the transmission of 1  infection from the patient to emergency response personnel. 3. All department personnel shall follow EMS system policies and guidelines to prevent injuries caused by needles and other sharp instruments. These devices are to be considered infectious and are to be disposed of according to EMS system policies and guidelines and in appropriate containers. (NWCH Policy: Infection control measures/communicable disease follow-up. Page I-1 to I-11) 4. Eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics or lip balm, and handling contact lenses are prohibited in patient treatment areas, and ambulance cabs and patient areas. 5. Food and drink are not to be carried in ambulance cabs and patient treatment areas. Only exterior cabinets may be used for food transportation. D. Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Disposal 1. Disinfecting Contaminated Skin. All personnel shall disinfect their contaminated skin surfaces according to EMS system policies and guidelines. Hands shall be washed after each emergency medical incident, after cleaning and disinfecting medical equipment, after cleaning protective clothing or equipment, after any cleaning function, before and after using the washroom, before or after handling food or food utensils and cooking, and before and after handling cleaned and disinfected medical equipment. 2. Disinfecting Medical Equipment. When emergency medical equipment cleaning is performed by department members, it is to take place in a designated disinfecting facility. Currently, the only facility is located at St. Alexius Medical Center. Dirty or contaminated medical equipment shall not be cleaned or disinfected in fire station kitchen, living, sleeping or personal hygiene areas. Prior to cleaning, dirty or contaminated medical equipment will be stored separated from cleaned and disinfected equipment. All medical equipment will be cleaned and disinfected according to EMS system policy and only with chemicals and disinfectants specified by the EMS system. 3. Cleaning Guidelines for Protective Clothing. Structural firefighting protective clothing shall be cleaned at least every six months per Department schedule. This meets minimum NFPA recommendations. Clothing will be washed more frequently if needed. Structural firefighting protective clothing shall be washed separately from other 2  clothing. Clothing shall be laundered using the washing machine that is labeled "FOR WASHING PROTECTIVE CLOTHING ONLY". Household type washers, located at the stations, are not to be used for protective clothing, only contaminated work uniforms. For gross contamination with products of combustion, fire debris, or body fluid, removal of contaminants by flushing with water as soon as practical is necessary, followed by appropriate cleaning. NFPA 1581 A5-4.1. The following are general washing instructions for protective fire-fighting clothing. Detailed directions are posted on washing machine. a. Everything is to be removed from all pockets of coats, pants and liners. b. Remove liners from coat and pant shells. All closures are to be fastened (this includes all hooks, dee rings velcro and snaps). c. Shells and liners shall be laundered separately to prevent cross contamination. Two sets of firefighters shells or liners may be laundered together. Hoods and gloves are to be washed with shells. d. Detailed directions for washing protective clothing are posted on the washing machine. NO BLEACH IS TO BE USED IN WASHING PROTECTIVE CLOTHING. Bleach will cause the fibers of the clothing to be destroyed. Washing solution is dispensed at the proper time in the washing cycle; there is no need to add extra cleaning solution. e. Protective clothing shall be dried by hanging it up or by using the turnout gear dryer - no machine drying. Liners should be turned inside out and hung to allow quilted lining to dry. Reference: NFPA 1500 5-1.4 to 5-1.8.1; NFPA 1581 A-5-4.1 to A-5-4.4. 4. Disposal of Materials. Sharps containers shall be disposed of following EMS system policies. Contaminated disposable medical supplies and equipment, contaminated disposable infection control garments, and contaminated wastes shall be disposed of at the hospital and according to EMS system policies. When it is determined by the EMS Officer that normally non-disposable items cannot be disinfected, they shall be disposed of at the hospital and according to EMS system policies. PROCEDURE DEFINITIONS EXCEPTIONS REFERENCES End of Document 3