CDC releases resources for emergency responder safety

Medical professionals who are the first on the scene in the event of an emergency may be at risk of exposure to infectious diseases. To better regulate these professionals' safety, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) released new guidance this month.

The agencies published a list of potentially life-threatening infectious diseases that emergency response professionals may be exposed to in the line of duty. Resources have also been made available to help inform medical facilities of the best ways to identify exposure in an emergency responder so that actions can be taken to mitigate the safety hazard.

Previously, the list - published as a result of the Ryan White Care Act of 1990 - included diseases such as rabies, Hepatitis B, Meningococcal disease and tuberculosis.

That list was updated last month with a dozen new diseases, including measles, mumps, Hepatitis C, pertussis and rubella.

In addition, the release includes guidelines that describe the most likely scenarios in which emergency professionals may be exposed to disease while assisting or transporting victims after an emergency has occurred.

Though the resources outline the best ways to react to exposure to these diseases, emergency responders can take preventative measures to limit their risk while on the job. Wearing disposable respirators may help filter out the potentially harmful diseases these professionals may encounter while on the scene of an emergency.

Similarly, ambulatory services or emergency responders are advised to provide their workers with adequate safety clothing, as these items can reduce their exposure to air- or blood-borne diseases. Disposable safety gloves, for instance, are a necessity for all emergency responders.