• 1) Early patient reporting allows the evacuation team to prepare.
  • The sending facility medical team should provide contact information (if possible).
  • The evacuation team should contact the sending facility prior to mission (if possible).
• 2) Handoff to the transport team should include:
  • Up-to-date COVID-19 testing status (PUI vs confirmed).
  • Current vital signs, exam findings, and recent trends or changes.
  • Current medication regimen if initiated (including antibiotics and anticoagulants).
  • Critical care medication regimen (sedation, analgesia, paralysis, and vasopressors).
  • Current PPE status, oxygen requirements and ventilator settings.
  • Any potential COVID-19 related complications identified during management (e.g., heavy respiratory secretions).
• 3) Upon evacuation team arrival to receive the patient, handoff report should be repeated with key elements above, including any recent patient changes.
• 4) Transition to the evacuation team monitoring and support equipment will present risk of exposure to healthcare team. In an attempt to mitigate this risk, consider the following:
  • Personnel should be limited to those directly involved in the care of the patient.
  • Best available PPE should be worn by everyone involved in the care transition.
  • ETT clamping technique should be instituted to limit aerosol creation during all ventilator circuit breaks including transfer to evacuation team ventilator.
  • Sufficient time should be allotted to confirm adequate oxygenation and ventilation prior to departure of the evacuation team.