Ensuring COVID-19 Readiness for Emergency Medical Services and Hospitals

18 items · Health · Medium difficulty · 30 min

Prepare EMS and hospitals quickly for COVID-19 response.

• Activate COVID-19 response plan

  Start the facility's outbreak procedures and notify leadership.

• Confirm staffing and assign roles

  Verify who is available, schedule backups, and assign responsibilities.

• Check PPE stock and reorder if low

  Count masks, gowns, gloves and eye protection; set reorder triggers.

• Ensure staff trained on PPE use

  Review proper donning, doffing, fit checks and infection-control basics.

• Set up patient screening area

  Create a dedicated space to assess patients before they enter care areas.

• Post clear signage for respiratory symptoms

  Place signs directing symptomatic people to the screening area.

• Provide hand hygiene stations at entry

  Install sanitizer dispensers and tissues near entrances.

• Designate isolation rooms and separate pathways

  Reserve rooms and clear routes to limit patient and staff contact.

• Check ventilation and negative pressure where needed

  Confirm systems work properly to reduce airborne spread in isolation areas.

• Prepare testing and sample handling supplies

  Stock swabs, labels, biohazard bags and transport materials.

• Ensure safe patient transport procedures

  Define routes, PPE and cleaning steps for transfers and ambulance handovers.

• Establish communication with public health authorities

  Share case counts, resource needs, and follow reporting protocols.

• Set up staff health monitoring and support

  Implement symptom checks, testing access, and mental health resources.

• Plan for surge capacity and bed management

  Identify extra spaces, triage plans, and staffing contingencies.

• Maintain clear documentation and records

  Keep logs of patients, exposures, PPE use, and cleaning schedules.

• Practice donning and doffing drills

  Run regular hands-on drills to prevent contamination.

• Review waste disposal and cleaning protocols

  Confirm safe waste segregation, approved disinfectants, and cleaning frequency.

• Communicate visitor and patient guidance

  Post and share rules on visiting, masking, and symptom reporting.

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