Infection Prevention and Control for the Emergency Medical Services and 911 Workforce

This document reviews the scientific literature from 2006 to 2022 to examine exposure to and prevention of infectious disease for the emergency medical services (EMS) and 911 workforce, since these workers are frequently exposed to blood or bodily fluids on the job. Because of this, EMS workers had a higher risk of hospitalization and death from SARS-CoV-2 than firefighters. The authors found higher rates of hepatitis C in older staff and of SARS-CoV-2 in minorities. The study also discusses infection prevention and control practices, such as the effectiveness of personal protective equipment and onsite vaccine clinics, which can help protect the EMS workforce.