Scurry County EMS takes the fight to COVID-19

Scurry County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff are on the front lines of the COVID-19 battle, and although Scurry County has yet to see a confirmed case, EMS Director Jason Tyler said EMTs are taking extra precautions to protect both themselves and their patients from exposure.
“We’re responding to calls just like we always have; the only thing different we’re doing is taking extra precautions,” he said. “We’re using standard personal protection equipment (PPE) that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires us to use. So we’re wearing a mask, goggles and gloves to every call, because you just never know.”
Tyler said that ambulance services in some areas were wearing full face masks and Tychem suits for each call, but he didn’t feel that the Scurry County EMTs needed to go that far just yet. They are, however, prepared to quickly make changes to their PPE should the need arise.
“Each employee has a bag, and in the bag is their PPE kit,” he said. “They take these with them on the ambulances. They have gloves, wipes, goggles, gowns, a full suit and a respirator that has filters and a full-face shield. Worst-case scenario, we look like a bunch of space creatures. That’s the next step that we may have to go to.”
Infection Control Officer Katrina Reynolds said that even with the COVID-19 situation evolving every day, EMS staff members are prepared for whatever may come their way. She monitors changes and ensures that paramedics know what to expect.
“We check our temperatures every day, and we’re asking our employees to abide by the Stay Home, Stay Safe order, and they’re being very compliant. That way we can serve our county the way we need to,” she said. “Every day, things change, but we are prepared, and our system is pretty advanced on being able to protect us and the patient.”
Tyler said that there hasn’t been much change to their response procedures due to the fact that they never know what kind of situation they will be be thrown into, but they have adjusted their cleaning procedures. Although their cleaning has always been thorough, staff members have added to their regimen.
“We’re cleaning the ambulances after every call, just like we always have, but we’re adding once a day on top of that,” Tyler said. “So we’re making sure that they get cleaned at least once a day plus after every call.”
Tyler said that every call EMS receives is asked Coronavirus screening questions by the dispatcher, who relays the information to the responders going on the call. Once on-site, the EMTs ask the screening questions as well, to ensure that consistent information is passed along.
“We don’t know which patients have (COVID-19) and which patients don’t, so we’re treating it like everyone is infected until proven otherwise.” Tyler said. “We don’t want anybody to fall through the cracks.”
“I know right now is a scary time for the public, but we do want to assure them that we’re doing everything we can to keep them safe,” Reynolds said.