Infectious Disease Control

Answering Your Questions Addressing Your Concerns

PROTECTING

You, Your Family

and Citizens

ATCEMS Wants You to Have the FACTS

What’s Happening

 Largest outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is currently occurring in West Africa – Began in Guinea in late 2013

 Outbreak currently exists in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea

 Sequence analysis of viruses indicates that the epidemic has resulted from sustained person-to-person transmission

 Case-fatality rate estimated to be approximately 70 percent

How It Happens

EVD is spread through direct contact:

With bodily fluids.



 With objects (like needles and syringes) that have been contaminated with the virus.  With some infected mammals (bats, monkeys, and apes) in or from West Africa.

Research illustrates:

 EVD is NOT spread through the air or by water.

 NO evidence that mosquitos or other insects can transmit Ebola virus.

 Only mammals have the ability to become infected.

 Close contact with individuals NOT showing symptoms does not result in infection.

What We’re Doing

 We have activated and are utilizing the ATCEMS Infectious Disease Response and

Exposure Control Plan.

 Providing timely alerts and updates from the Office of the Medical Director.

 Activation of the Emerging Infections Disease Surveillance Tool (EIDS) call-screening

process. This tool provides for early detection of suspect patients and activation of

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) alert protocols.

 Issuance of on-scene confirmation/identification checklists to assist field personnel in

clinical assessments.

 Have initialized and are continually updating our systematic process to manage

suspicious cases.

 We have instituted and are requiring a buddy system and checklist for methodical and

controlled application and removal of PPE. This includes mandatory video viewing

education for all providers across the system.

 Developed, employed and are utilizing a comprehensive response plan for suspected

cases by specialized response ambulances.

 Conducting intensive training and practice with increased emphasis of PPE for late-

stage disease patients.

 We are m a intaining surveillance and information gathering of EVD related intelligence

for continued maintenance and modification of practices and procedures if we

determine a need to do so.

 Coordinating efforts with Hospitals, State and local health authorities to ensure a

smooth transition of care.

 Continuously analyzing our techniques and procedures to ensure safe practices for

our employees and maintenance of effective disinfection and decontamination

processes.

 Actively continue to review our processes, techniques, and procedures to ensure

adequate disinfection and decontamination processes.

What Can Be Expected

Should a provider be exposed to a confirmed EVD patient, ATCEMS will support the provider as follows:

 He/she will be removed from active duty, appropriately disinfected/decontaminated and will receive

immediate medical attention.

 Consultation with Provider will be conducted regarding family contact— who to make contact with,

and when.

 Provider will be placed on No Duty Status until declared Virus-Free by the Austin-Travis County

Health and Human Services Department (ATCHHSD).

 If provider quarantine is required by ATCHHSD –alternative ‘housing’ will be made available to the

provider should they prefer not to return to their home and family during the quarantined time

period.

 Personal necessity arrangements will be coordinated in consult with the provider and/or their

designee e.g. acquisition of clothing changes, sundries, and other necessities of daily living for the

provider as needed.

Payroll:



Initially our Medic may be placed on Administrative Leave (ADL) pending EVD confirmation from

ATCHHSD. No payroll impact to the provider will be incurred; they will continue to receive

their regularly scheduled pay including built-in premium time.

If our employee elects to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits through the duration of

quarantine or other recovery period, no payroll impact to the provider will be incurred; they

will continue to receive their “ full pay for a period commensurate with the nature of the line

of duty illness or injury” according to the Texas local government code 143.073 [Line of Duty

Illness or Injury Leave of Absence].

In either instance our providers pay will remain unaffected and 100% whole without the

necessary use of personal benefit time.

 We will ensure continued consultation and coordination opportunities for the Medic, family, and/or

their designees.