Explore our EMS office disinfecting strategies to help keep your EMS billing staff safe.

Coronavirus created a sense of panic, leaving some businesses and companies unable to even revisit their offices to collect necessary belongings. Since the staff members have left the office, with minimal notice, the condition in which the offices/desks were left could have created a worse scene for a crew, or a nightmare for when EMS billers return. The strategy in disinfecting office space is similar to home and office settings.

Bactronix is a national science-based microbial control company that uses its own exclusive products and advanced equipment for a wide range of mold removal and disinfection services for both residential and commercial facilities. While it is a nationally-renowned company, it's located in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, near Beaver County. 

Product manager for Bactronix, Desiree Powell, touts their EPA-registered ingredients for their success in cleaning. She says, "If you are preparing to clean the EMS billing office yourself, or having your janitorial staff do it, the best disinfection practices are to use EPA-registered disinfectants that include a bactericide, virucide, and fungicide according to the manufacturer's directions. Office cleaning should be done before your office opens and should be continued daily from there."

Disinfecting EMS Office Hot Spots

Before the coronavirus pandemic, bed bugs, mold, and other invisible enemies were the most-mentioned subjects of disinfection. Now deeply disinfecting is a must for more areas than the usual. Powell suggests applying disinfectant on all high-frequency touchpoints.  

In an office setting, touchpoints include:

• Phones
• Keyboards
• Mouse and mousepads
• Printers
• Desk/countertop surfaces
• Doorknobs
• Light switches 

The usual suspects are just the tip of the iceberg. There are EMS day-rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and other common areas that are constantly in use. 

Common area hot spots include:

• Refrigerator handles
• Cabinet handles
• Tables
• Coffee makers
• Cabinet handles  
• Doorknobs 

BactroKill, an eco-friendly and touchless disinfectant, is the product of choice at Bactronix specifically for deep cleaning since it's EPA-registered and can be used on all surfaces without a harmful outcome. An important note is that no matter what type of disinfectant is used, even EPA registered products should be checked to be sure that they follow all of the directions and safety precautions.   

According to Powell, "If your EMS billing offices have been closed for the mandatory quarantine, then you are good with the above protocol." This is because COVID-19 only survives on surfaces for 72 hours. However, if a staff member in the building recently tested positive, had a family member test positive, was around a person who tested positive, or even experienced symptoms, then cleaning is suggested.  

Calling a professional like Bactronix is beneficial because they use specialized products and eco-friendly disinfection technology to ensure 100% of all surfaces and ductwork have been thoroughly disinfected before employees return to work.  

“That’s what we are currently doing as a company with many facilities such as this one in the Pittsburgh area,” said Powell, referring to deep-cleaning all surfaces. “In addition, these practices in disinfecting will always be needed to ensure a repeat outbreak does not happen.”

Disinfecting Home Office Hot Spots 

If you’re working from home, you can use these products, too, since some cleaning products sold over the counter are not meant to kill all bacteria, germs, or viruses. In fact, there are sites like epa.gov that provide information such as potency and effectiveness of certain products. Websites like this better educate consumers regarding cleaning items and disinfectants that are advertised to combat bacteria. 

As you clean your home office, disinfect the same items you would at your EMS office. This includes your phone, computer keyboard, mouse, mousepads, desktop, etc.

Those who are working from home but eagerly anticipate returning to the EMS billing office, here are a few resources to help you until that time comes.

• Read Work From Home Best Practices for EMS Billers
• Read How Ambulance Service Support Staff Can Work From Home Successfully
• Read Daily Life & Coping Insights
• Join the Facebook group, EMS Billing Peers

Preparing to Return to the Your EMS Office

When coronavirus safety measures loosen up, and you prepare to return to your EMS billing office, anxiety may resurface as the fear of the unknown still exists. As a society, we’ve grown accustomed to social distancing and having our guard up regarding cleanliness. While this time has been challenging, many have developed healthy habits — let’s plan to continue with them. 

Wiping down areas and routinely cleaning file cabinets, inside and out, desks, computer keyboards, time clocks, photograph frames, etc., as well as bathrooms, EMS day-rooms, ambulance bays, and kitchens will create better practices and less bacterial infestations. 

When you return to the office, keep these best practices top of mind:

• Wash your hands often
• Have hand sanitizer with you at all times
• Keep a mask on hand
• Disinfect hotspots and high touchpoints throughout the day

When it's time to make preparations for returning to the office, touch base other EMS billing professionals by joining our Facebook group. Find out what others in the industry are doing to ensure personal and employee safety.