Infection Control Situational Awareness Made Easy with CLOSE
Published (updated: ).
As the EMS crew nears the patient, the likelihood of contracting a contagious disease increases with each step.
| Proximity(ft) | Observation | Appropriate PPE |
| 10 | Cough | Wear mask, goggles, gloves |
| 5 | Liquids | Wear gloves |
| 5 | Odor | Wear gloves |
| 1 | Story | Suspicious story? Wear everything |
| 1 | Elevated Temp | Wear everything |
Gowns should be worn at any scene that is extremely bloody or messy. Gowns are worn over the uniform (which provides some limited protection from bodily fluids) to act as a barrier. Putting on a gown is easy. Taking off a gown requires a partner to help you take it off without contaminating the uniform underneath.
