# 5164
In mid November Maryn McKenna and I both ran blogs on infectious disease risks run by emergency responders and medical personnel.
Maryn wrote Putting their lives on the line: Meningitis in first responders, while I wrote Firefighters & Paramedics At Greater Risk Of MRSA.
It is a much more complicated (and dangerous) world for first responders today than when I was a paramedic. HIV, XDR-TB, MRSA, and a variety of other blood borne and airborne pathogens all pose serious threats to the health of medical personnel, and their families.
NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health) and the CDC are currently seeking public comment on notification procedures for EREs (Emergency Response Employees) when they are exposed to potentially serious infectious diseases.
Interested parties (Nurses, Doctors, EMTs, Paramedics, LEOs, Firefighters, etc.) have until February 11th, 2011 to submit written comments.
You can find details on how to do so, and background information, at the NIOSH site below (slightly reparagraphed for readability).
NIOSH Docket Number 219
Implementation of Section 2695 of Public Law 111-87
The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009 (Pub.L. 111–87) addresses notification procedures for designated officers, medical facilities, and State and community public health officers regarding exposure of emergency response employees (EREs) to potentially life-threatening infectious diseases.
The secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) has delegated authority to the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue a list of potentially life-threatening infectious diseases, including emerging infectious diseases, to which EREs may be exposed in responding to emergencies (including a specification of those infectious diseases that are routinely transmitted through airborne or aerosolized means); guidelines describing circumstances in which employees may be exposed to these diseases; and guidelines describing the manner in which medical facilities should make determinations about exposures.
CDC is seeking comment on the list of diseases and guidelines contained in this notice.
All comments will be posted without change here, including any personal information provided.
General Notice and Request for Comments:
General notice and request for comments; 75 FR 77642; 12/13/10 [PDF - 54 KB]
Background Material:
Unofficial figures: Procedures for Notification of Possible Exposure to Infectious Diseases under the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009 [PDF - 1,142 KB]
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009 (Pub. L. 111-87, to be codified at 42 U.S.C. 300ff-131 et seq.) [PDF - 195 KB]
