Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Handbook
OG 4023 Communicable Disease Information
Issued By: Roy Hollett, Deputy Chief Operational Support
Approved By: Doug Trussler, Fire Chief
Date of Issue: 1996/10/06
Revision Date: 1999/03/27, 2016/06/23
Forms Required: Accident/Incident Report (13A)
BACKGROUND:
The NS Health Protection Act, Sections 74 and 106 regulates how information regarding Notifiable Diseases and Conditions Regulations must be collected, stored and distributed. The regulations include a list of diseases and conditions that must be reported to the Medical Officer of Health through NS Public Health Services. If First Responders have been exposed to any of these diseases or conditions they would normally be contacted by a Public Health Officer and informed of their exposure.
PURPOSE:
Occasionally Firefighters may be informed by “word of mouth” that a patient may have had an infectious disease or condition. This can cause confusion and anxiety for Firefighters who are unsure if they were exposed. Due to the requirement to respect patient’s privacy rights, it is difficult for responders to obtain information on possible communicable disease exposures.
This guideline provides Firefighters with an appropriate and reliable method for obtaining information regarding possible communicable disease exposure after an incident.
OBJECTIVE:
To inform personnel of the steps they must take should they come in contact with a “Notifiable Disease or Condition”.
SCOPE:
This OG applies to all HRFE members.
DEFINITIONS:
• Notifiable Diseases or Conditions: A list of diseases or conditions that must be reported to NS Public Health. [Notifiable Diseases or Conditions]
• Reliable Source: Persons that have direct knowledge of the patient. This could be a relative, Emergency Health Services or hospital personnel who know the patient’s medical history.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Management
• Ensure that personnel who have been exposed to a reportable disease or condition report to a Capital Health Emergency Department within 2 hrs.
• Ensure that HRFE Accident/Incident Report (13A) is completed and that the Corporate Infectious Disease Exposure Form is submitted to Workplace Health Services.
• Ensure that PPE and other equipment to prevent exposure to infectious disease and conditions are available to personnel and worn appropriately.
Workers
• Stay informed of HRM practices and procedures for the prevention of infection and follow all safe work practices.
• Wear the appropriate level of personal protective equipment at all medical incidents.
• Wash hands after every patent contact.
• Report any exposure promptly in accordance with policy & procedures.
• Seek medical advice and treatment immediately after a suspected exposure.
PROCEDURE:
• If you have been exposed and you have information from a reliable source that the patient has a Notifiable Disease or Condition, you must:
- Contact your supervisor and inform them of the exposure.
- Proceed to a Capital Health Emergency Department within 2 hrs.
- Complete and submit a HRFE Accident/Exposure report and Corporate Infectious Disease Exposure Form.
• If a you suspect you been exposed to a Notifiable Disease or Condition, you may:
o Contact Public Health Services at (902-481-5800). Leave a message with your concern. Your call will be returned and you will be informed if that disease or condition has been reported. If no disease or condition has been reported to Public Health Services you will be provided information.
o The communicable disease office of Public Health Services is only open during business hours. After hours, on holidays or on weekends, call the QE2 Locating number (902-473-2220) and ask for the Medical Officer of Health. Leave a message with your contact information and concerns.
RELATED POLCIES/OPERATING GUIDELINES:
• OG4002 Cleaning/Disposal of Equipment Exposed to Body Fluids
• OG5005 Pandemic Response Plan
• P607 Personal Protective Equipment
• HRM Infection Prevention and Control Reference Guidelines, Second Edition, January 2015
OPERATING GUIDELINE REVIEW:
HRFE Safety Division shall review this guideline annually.
ATTACHMENTS/APPENDICIES:
- http://www.novascotia.ca/dhw/cdpc/documents/06026_itsthelawposter_en.pdf
- http://intranet.halifax.ca/Corporate/CorporateSafety/AccidentIncidentInvestigationReportElectronicForm.docx