The Mid-Mo Ambulance District Board of Directors held a special meeting via conference call March 24 to discuss its procedures for protecting patients and district employees during the coronavirus pandemic.
Supervisor Jason Elliott informed the board the plan of action for crews and patients that the district adopted mirrors that of Moniteau County 911 Director Kevin Wieberg, with protocols being monitored and changed daily if needed. Representatives with the district, Wieberg, the Moniteau County Health Department and representatives from law enforcement and fire departments are held daily via teleconference.
New nebulizers were purchased, which prevent air from escaping from the back end as the district's current ones do. Elliott said crews are undertaking "fit for duty" screens twice daily at their shift changes, with that information sent to administration, and UV lights are being ran in the bases and trucks more often to decontaminate. Moniteau and Morgan counties dispatch centers are screening calls to determine if a patient could be a possible COVID-19 positive. Crews have been advised to wear masks on all calls and take full personal protective equipment (PPE) precautions if a patient is a possible positive - this includes wearing an N95 mask, face shields or goggles, and full gowns. Full PPE precautions are also being taken at all time when making contact at nursing homes to protect their residents.
Elliott said after transporting a suspected COVID-19 patient, crews go out of service, return to base to decontaminate the trucks with the UV light, wash their uniforms, shower and change into a clean uniform. Elliott said crews have been advised to bring an extra uniform to their shifts for this reason, along with clean street clothes for when they return home following a shift to protect their families.
To date, Elliott said the few patients transported that were suspect for COVID-19 tested positive for Influenza A or pneumonia. However, he said he expects that to change in the next week or so.
PPE supplies in the district are fine for the time being, but thermometer covers are on back order and will be running low soon, especially with crews checking temperatures themselves twice daily, Elliott said. Nine infrared thermometers were ordered - one for each truck at $90 each - to help alleviate the need for covers. Through Missouri's Emergency Management Agency, the state will be supplying N95 masks, surgical masks and gloves. Elliott said despite all the new procedures, morale seems to be good, and the crew continues to be updated daily.
Administrator Lee Kempf informed the board he has designated the Ivy Bend base as a quarantine location for crew members if it's needed. The base has space to house three employees and has television, phone and internet service, along with the full kitchen and laundry service all district bases have. Kempf said the only thing quarantined crew members would need for a 14-day quarantine would be food, which he said he would see to. Should employees be quarantined, they will be paid their full 48 hours per week - Kempf said he'd look into how much part-time staff would be paid in the event they are quarantined, but they will definitely be compensated.
The district office and bases have been closed to the public, and the office is also closed to crews.
Kempf said he felt the district could do more for his employees during a stressful time - as such, the district is providing one meal per day to each employee, with a $10 limit if it's from a local establishment. Kempf said crews often spend time out in the communities they serve, and this could help district employees and local restaurants seeing a dip in business at this time. The board approved this directive.
Kempf said the district's newest ambulance has a UV system built into the vents in the back of the truck, and he's looking to find something similar for the older trucks. Kempf said the same company that designed the system in the new truck has a plug-in model that could be mounted in the wall of older vehicles to do the same thing. The UV bulbs are contained and would be safe to use in the presence of people, unlike the big UV lights the district currently uses. The board approved the purchase and installation of eight units for a total of $10,927.60.
The Mid-Mo Ambulance District Board of Directors' next regular meeting is scheduled for April 11.