Attachment B

Attachment B
Version 2.0 August 7, 2020

Veterans Transportation Service (VTS)
Patient Transport PPE and Vehicle Cleaning/Disinfection Standard Operating Procedure
Following the tenets of Standard Precautions as described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), everyone should be thoughtful and aware of potential situations or interactions where there is the potential for transmission of an infectious disease and should take appropriate actions to mitigate the potential for spread of those infectious diseases. Standard Precautions set the foundation for prevention of transmission of infectious agents. The concept of Standard Precautions includes a group of infection prevention practices that apply to all patients, regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status, in any setting in which health care is delivered. These practices include the following: hand hygiene; respiratory etiquette; use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, gown, mask, eye protection, or face shield, depending on the anticipated infectious exposure; along with principles of environmental cleaning and disinfection. VTS Operator/Driver PPE
During the COVID-19 pandemic, below please find considerations for PPE usage for VTS following tenets of Standard Precautions from CDC.

ROUTINE TRANSPORTS:

When VTS or a VA station employee driver/operator is transporting any patient who is not diagnosed as a COVID-19, the following PPE is required for transport:

Facemask at all times (universal source control).

Eye Protection (e.g., goggles or face shield) when loading, securing, and unloading wheelchair or stretcher patients, but does not need to be worn during actual driving to reduce risk of a visual hazard.

Gown as needed (based on exposure to body fluids or contact with patient when loading, securing, and unloading wheelchair and stretcher patients).

Gloves as needed (based on exposure to body fluids or contact with the patient when loading, securing, and unloading wheelchair or stretcher patients).

COVID-19 TRANSPORTS:

When VTS and VA station employee driver/operator is transporting a patient with COVID-19, the following PPE is required for transport.

Fit-tested N95 Respirator or equivalent (if available) or Facemask at all times*

Eye Protection (e.g., goggles or face shield) *
Gloves (based on exposure to body fluids or contact with the passenger)

Gown (based on exposure to body fluids or contact with the passenger)

*CDC recommends that drivers wear an N95 respirator or facemask (if respirator is not available) and eye protection such as a face shield or goggles (as long as they do not create a driving hazard).