AMR Communications Centers are working closely with our partners at the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch to prepare for modified caller queries regarding Ebola. Call intake modifications will not be implemented unless a risk is identified in a particular community based on guidance from the CDC, local AMR/EMS medical directors or Communications Center leadership.
EVHC Clinician Hotline:
One of the benefits of being part of Envision Healthcare is our ability to leverage resources from across the organization. Effective today, we have established an EVHC Clinician Hotline, 855-448-1742, to provide 24-hour support to AMR leaders, and medical directors. The hotline is staffed by Evolution Health Nurse Navigators in the Medical Command Center in Dallas and is supported by the Logis technology. The navigators have access to Ebola-related information, protocols and resources that can assist if:
1. You’ve been requested to do an interfacility transfer of a suspected or confirmed Ebola patient
2. Your medical director, county EMSA, or regulators have questions about AMR’s Ebola response that you can’t answer
3. You have an employee who you believe was exposed and you don’t know who to call
4. You receive a media request
We continue to monitor all our clinical sources for new information and guidelines. We believe our caregivers are prepared to respond safely and provide appropriate care to patients with any infectious disease including Ebola. All AMR practices have personal protective equipment that meets CDC recommendations and we are working with McKesson to have special patient transport kits available within the next 24-hours should we be asked to transport a diagnosed patient.
Please reinforce among our community that protection is simple: hand washing before and after each patient contact and stringent blood and body fluid precautions.
Remember that we are well prepared to manage patients in these circumstances. The principles of public health remain sound and effective. It’s our collective job to use them. If you need additional information, please contact Scott Bourn at Scott.Bourn@amr.net or Ed Racht at Ed.Racht@evhc.net.