EMS Provider Hygiene
I. Always wash hands
a. Before and after patient contact
b. Before eating
c. After cleaning the ambulance or equipment
d. After using the restroom
e. After nose blowing, coughing, or sneezing
II. CDC Recommendations for washing with soap and water
a. Reference: 36CDC—Hand Hygiene Guideline
b. Remove all jewelry
c. Wet hands with clean running water
d. Apply soap
e. Scrub the back of hands
f. Clean underneath fingernails
g. Continuously rub hands for at least 20 seconds
h. Rinse hands well under running water
i. Dry hands using a clean towel or air dry
III. Alcohol-based hand cleaner/sanitizer
a. Should contain at least 60% alcohol
b. Reduces number of germs
c. Does not eliminate all types of germs
d. Does not kill viruses
i. Creates inhospitable environments for viruses to live
e. Ineffective when hands are visibly dirty
f. Techniques for using hand sanitizer
i. Know that soap and water is more effective than hand sanitizer
ii. Apply to palm of one hand
iii. Rub hands together
iv. Rub all surfaces of hands and fingers until dry
v. Wash hands when soap and water become available
IV. Eye and face protections
a. Eye protection is recommended by the CDC when workers may be at risk of acquiring infectious diseases via ocular exposure
i. Adenovirus
ii. Herpes simplex
iii. Staphylococcus aureus
iv. Hepatitis B and C
Content Creator: Maddy Browning
CAPCE Course Number: 21-EMTP-F3-4313
NJ Course Number: 145917
Total CE Hours: 1
Level: Basic
EMT-CE uses the NEMSES guidelines as the foundation for every course outline.
