Swine Flu

Swine flu information will be evolving very rapidly over the next several weeks. Please monitor these sites for the latest information. Use all appropriate PPE with all patients that present with any flu-like symptoms.

NM DOH Swine Flu Algorithm

Pandemic Flu/Swine Flu Situation Reports/Info

National Swine Flu Situation Page

Canadian Infectious Disease EMS Guidelines

By Paramedics:

Requesting more information from dispatchers when sent to respiratory, sick person and fever related calls if limited initial information is provided upon dispatch. Initial interrogation of the patient from at least 2 meters (6.5 feet) away to determine if personal protective equipment precautions are necessary. Recommended PPE for taking care of ill/potentially infected patients includes: disposable gowns, gloves, goggles/face shields and N95 or better respirators. PPE should be donned and doffed according to published guidelines to prevent cross contamination, including eye and gown protection when splash or airborne contamination is possible. Placing a mask on all patients with suspected symptoms, using filtered oxygen masks when available, or non-rebreather masks when oxygen is required. Droplet producing procedures should be avoided whenever possible including nebulizers, bag-valve-mask, suctioning or intubation. If bag-valve-masks are needed, use those with HEPA filters whenever possible.

Alert receiving hospital personnel of the possibility of an infectious patient as soon as possible and hold suspected infectious patients in the ambulance until their destination in the hospital is known, rather than immediately moving them into the emergency room.

Perform a thorough cleaning of the stretcher and all equipment that has come in contact with or been within 2 meters (6.5 feet) with an approved disinfectant, upon completion of the call.

By Dispatchers:

When using ProQA software flagging MPDS protocols 6, 10, 18 and 26 for further interrogation, and using the drop down SRI (severe respiratory infection [flu-like] symptoms) screen to obtain, at a minimum, the following:

• Have they recently been in Mexico or been exposed to anyone that has been in Mexico, and how long the person was in Mexico (paying particular attention to those who stayed for 7 days or longer)?
• Are they febrile or have a fever, and if so, is it higher than 38° C (101°F)?
• Do they have a cough or any other respiratory symptoms like difficulty breathing?

For dispatch centers not using ProQA software (paper-based cards only), gathering the above information from all callers on protocol cards 6, 10, 18 and 26.

For dispatch centers not using cards or software, include the questions above when the caller reports flu, breathing difficulty or fever.

Dispatchers should report the responses to these questions to the paramedics before they arrive on the scene.