(File photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

COVID-19

Melfort Ambulance taking safeguards amid COVID-19 pandemic

Mar 24, 2020 | 2:33 PM

A local ambulance company is taking a few extra precautions when it comes to COVID-19.

Melfort Ambulance manager Wayne Therres told northeastNOW that for them, it was business as usual in that people could call them if they believe they need ambulance service.

However, he said they are being even more careful due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When it comes to something like a respiratory illness we have taken some precautions in the back of the ambulances to seal the driver’s compartment from the patient compartment so we eliminate that cross-contamination,” he said.

There have also been changes on what ambulance staff does when they attend a call. Therres said they have a screening tool when they come on scene, and they will use the extra screening on every person regardless of the type of call.

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“We’re going to go through some screening questions to try to rule out if there’s a potential that you may have been in contact with someone that has COVID-19 or that you may have COVID-19 yourself, and that will guide us in what we want to do,” Therres said.

He said if the screening tool suggests a potential positive COVID-19 case, patients will put on a protective mask, while ambulance staff will “gown up” with a gown and a protective mask.

According to Therres, the screening tool also allows them to do some assessments at home, to see if patients can be kept at home rather than in a facility, if you are in a condition to do that.

Some of the screening questions include whether patients have had a sudden onset of cough, whether the cough has changed, if they’ve had a fever in the last few days, and if they’ve had aches or chills. He said the screening tool changes on a day-by-day basis to ensure it’s up to date.

“The goal behind it is to determine whether or not this respiratory illness is one that needs to be transported and treated to the hospital, or if it’s one that we can help you with to start with at home, and then make arrangements for you to stay at home with that respiratory illness and manage it there,” Therres said.

He added it’s important for people to stay at home as much as possible, and only go out when it’s absolutely necessary for groceries or other essentials. He said Health Canada recommends wiping down items you purchase at the store with soap and water before putting them away.

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cam.lee@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @camlee1974