POLICY 1
INFECTION CONTROL
Jan 1992
2-1 Policy
The Kennebunkport Fire Department recognizes the potential exposure of its members, in the performance of their duties, to communicable diseases. To minimize the risk of exposure, the Kennebunkport Fire Department will implement an infection control program.
The infection control program will include standard operating procedures, initial training and continuing education in infection control practices, a vaccination program, the provision of proper infection control clothing and equipment, decontamination procedures for clothing and equipment, a system for reporting and managing exposures, a system for tracking exposures and ensuring confidentiality, monitoring of compliance with the standard operating procedures, and the design of fire service facilities to minimize the risk of infection.
Finally, exposure to communicable disease shall be considered an occupational health hazard, and any communicable disease contracted as the result of a documented work place exposure shall be considered occupationally related.
2-2 Training
2-2.1 The Kennebunkport Fire Department shall provide training on infectious diseases that pose a potential occupational health risk to those members who might be involved in emergency operations where infectious diseases may be present.
2-2.2 The training program shall include proper use of personal protective equipment, standard operating procedures for safe work practices in infection control, exposure management, and medical follow-up.
2-3 Infection Control Liaison
The Fire Department Safety Officer shall be responsible for maintaining communications among the Kennebunkport Fire Department, the health care facility and other health care professionals.
When notified of an exposure, the Kennebunkport Fire Department safety officer shall investigate the incident, notify all members who were potentially exposed, and ensure that those members receive appropriate medical follow-up. The Kennebunkport Fire Department safety officer shall also ensure that proper documentation of the exposure is recorded as specified in section 2-5.
2-4 Immunization and Testing
The Kennebunkport Fire Department shall make available to or ensure that those members who might be involved in emergency operations where infectious diseases may be present have access to vaccination against hepatitis B.
2-5 Exposures
2-5.1 If a member has sustained an exposure, the exposed area shall immediately be thoroughly washed using water on mucosal surfaces, and soap and running water on skin surfaces. If soap and running water are not available, alcohol or other skin cleaning agents that do not require running water shall be used until soap and running water can be obtained.
2-5.2 A member who believes he has been exposed to infectious diseases shall notify the incident commander who was in charge of the incident were the exposure was believed to have occurred and or the Kennebunkport Fire Service safety officer within 3 hours of the alleged exposure.
2-5.3 The Kennebunkport Fire Department safety officer, or the designated duty safety officer, shall see that the exposed member receives medical guidance, evaluation and, where appropriate, treatment as soon as practical but at least within 48 hrs. Appropriate and confidential post exposure counseling and testing shall be made available.
2-5.4 All exposures shall be recorded by the Kennebunkport Fire Department safety officer in writing as soon as possible after the incident using fire service form Kennebunkport Infectious Exposure Form.
2-5.6 All Kennebunkport Infectious Exposure Forms will be filed in the reported individuals health file.
2-5.7 Exposure data, without personal identifiers, shall be added to the Kennebunkport Fire Department health data base.
2-5.8 Due to the hazardous nature of some communicable diseases, members shall be required to report to the Kennebunkport Fire Department safety officer when the member has received a confirmed exposure that has occurred off-duty or is being medically treated or tested due to presenting signs or symptoms. Verbal notification shall be followed up with a note or letter from the member's physician describing the disease exposed to, treatment required, and fitness for regular fire service duties relative to communicability hazard to fellow workers and civilians at emergency incidents.
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