Hey to everyone out there!!

My name is Scott and Im an EMT-B for a rural department in southern New Mexico.

We are very short handed on EMTs and are trying to rebuild our EMS program due to the exodus of several of our more expirienced EMTs to other departments so there is a shortage of knowledge on some of the simple tasks that we should do when not actually on a run.

Im looking for some advice and suggestions for best practices on cleaning the patient compartment of the ambulance. It seems to me that the back of the truck is always dirty and I want to make sure that it is properly decontaminated after calls. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a lot and everyone stay safe,

Scott

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There is only one way, spray down with cleaner and wipe down with dis wipes. There is only one way, it is called "ELBOW GREASE AND TIME". Ambulances are all dirt collectors, there is no way to stop it it just requires the 90 minutes avery day to keep it clean, and tell your guys to stay out of the amulance unless they need to be there.

Zimm
I agree Don...But sometimes to save $$$$ we revert to using diluted (10%) Bleach...Have to mix it daily as it looses strength and effectiveness in 24 hours...I am a Nurse and we use it daily as it is effective agains all bloodborne pathogens to include Hepatitis and HIV...(The Monsters)...Stay Safe..........Paul
Paul, I thought of bleach, but making it up at a fire station which may be located without sewer system takes a lot of time and disposal, it would be faster to use sprays and wipes, but then there is a cost problem. It think the sprays and wipes are better. Also, the sprays and wiptes are duel use because we use them when coming off a scene.

Zimm
I agree on the muti use....and as for the DILUTED bleach....at only 10% disposal is not a factor...as it looses its strength so quickly....BUT you do what you have to.....Good luck.............Paul
these guys comments are really going to help us out lt. scott glad you asked them i will start cleaning the rig at our station for you with bleach time and elebow greese see you on the next call laters. ur EMT - I mendes
thanks for the advice this will really help me and scott out at the fire dept
A 10% bleach solution is effective against most pathogens if it is used properly. To be the most effective, it needs to stay on the surfaces for at least 30 seconds before wiping. Also be aware, some people are sensitive to bleach. After cleaning, it is probably wise to leave the doors open for 10 or 15 minutes to lessen the fumes.
BUT the solution MUST be remixed every 24 hours...it looses its effectivness after that....I am a nurse and we use this in the hospitals....also Hepatitis virus can live up to 2 weeks in dried blood...so be very, very careful....Stay safe.....Paul
that is good we have dimond plate to in mine and scotts rig we work at the same department thanx for the info
We sweep and mop at shift change, use a disenfectant on areas such as hand rails and drawer pulls. On areas that just have built up daily crud we just use something like fantastik or 409 spray. After calls any areas that have bodily fluids get sprayed with "envirocide" and left to soak for a few minutes, we than scrub with a brush or towel depending on the area and size. If it is a large area we will spray the whole area, scrub and break out the garden hose, after that we mop with a 10-1 bleach solution.

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