Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel coronavirus that causes the new disease COVID-19. Symptoms range from mild to severe with a higher incidence of severe cases in patients with risk factors such as older age and comorbidities. COVID-19 is mainly spread through the inhalation of respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing or via contact with droplet-contaminated surfaces. Paramedics should be aware that some aerosol-generating procedures may put them at a higher risk of contracting the virus via possible airborne transmission. Use of remote triage clinical assessment is likely to increase as a result of the pandemic. There is no curative drug treatment for the virus and some medications may exacerbate its effects or make patients more susceptible to it. Evidence and guidelines are evolving on SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. Paramedics should keep up to date with the latest clinical guidance from their employers.
Highlights
In late December 2019, a novel coronavirus was identified in Chinese City of Wuhan, causing severe respiratory disease including pneumonia [1]
The authors would like to thank the numerous paramedics who have asked them for information about various aspects of COVID-19 which lead to the different sections and the rapid production of this article
We hope this article is useful in answering these queries and in supporting paramedics in their practice during these challenging times
Summary
In late December 2019, a novel coronavirus was identified in Chinese City of Wuhan, causing severe respiratory disease including pneumonia [1]. The impact of the significant increase in COVID-19 call volume when coupled with guidelines such those mentioned earlier has meant that RCDM has become something upon which a range of clinicians have had little choice but to rely on entirely to carry out an increasing amount of their practice; with a lack of experience, training, and specialist education, and in home office environments away from traditional support mechanisms Those staff currently working in telephone triage will be well adept to practising remotely, and various clinical decision support software tools currently being used have activated their pandemic flu algorithms to support such clinicians more in their assessment; in addition to changing demand management processes. It remains the clinician’s responsibility to deliver the best care within their remit and to do so within personal safety parameters
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