With any suspected COVID-19 patient the CDC recommends consulting with medical control prior to performing aerosol-generating procedures for specific guidance. If instructed to do so, an N95 or higher-level respirator, instead of a facemask, should be worn in addition to the other PPE (gloves, gown).
EMS providers should exercise caution if an aerosol-generating procedure (e.g., bag valve mask (BVM) ventilation, oropharyngeal suctioning, endotracheal intubation, nebulizer treatment, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), bi-phasic positive airway pressure (biPAP), or resuscitation involving emergency intubation or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)) is necessary.
In addition to wearing an N95 mask and other appropriate PPE for splash / splatter, the rear doors of the ambulance should be opened and the HVAC system should be activated during aerosol-generating procedures. This should be done away from pedestrian traffic. [14]
