Above about rescue preparing for the virus H1N1.
Local paramedics need to be prepared for the H1N1 pandemic. With high profile cases, like the pregnant woman on life support, and in isolation at Wellington Regional Medical Center, health officials are looking for ways to prevent the spread of H1N1.
The Riviera Beach Fire Rescue Department is taking the lead on this by asking the Palm Beach County Health Department to help them get Tamiflu, the anti-viral medicine being used to treat H1N1, added to the stock of drugs on each ambulance.
That way, if first responders believe someone has the symptoms and could be a possible H1N1 case, they can give that person Tamiflu on site if they don't want to go to the hospital.
That's good for everyone because if sick people don't go to the ER, they are less likely to spread the virus.
Riviera Beach Fire Rescue also wants to have forms to fill out and send directly to the Health Department Epidemiologists to report suspected cases to the CDC.
Paramedics would be able to notify hospitals before a patient even arrives. Riviera Beach Fire Rescue is also working with other medical directors to make this standard for all Fire Rescue Departments.
They are waiting from approval from Tallahassee.
No comments:
Post a Comment