Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Medical Emergency Services Managed in Hospital Emergency Departments During COVID-19 Pandemic

Illinois hospitals work closely with Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA) rape crisis centers across the state to provide trauma-informed care and treatment for sexual assault survivors pursuant to the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act (SASETA), 410 ILCCS 70. Hospitals also play an integral part in delivering treatment and care for domestic violence survivors. In order to reassure survivors that hospital emergency departments (EDs) are safe, equipped, and ready to provide treatment for sexual assault and domestic violence during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Illinois Department of Public Health, in consultation with ICASA, the Illinois Health and Hospital Association, and the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, offers the following guidance.

Illinois Hospitals Are Ready and Safe for Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Survivors to Receive Medical Care

Sexual assault and domestic violence survivors come to hospitals to seek important medical and forensic care in their most vulnerable moments. During these tumultuous times, it is imperative that survivors know hospitals remain committed to providing these essential services to survivors who seek them. Hospitals work in collaboration with Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault rape crisis centers, the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and other advocacy organizations to assist survivors.

On May 5, Gov. JB Pritzker released Restore Illinois, a five-phased plan to reopen our state, guided by health metrics and with distinct business, education, and recreation activities characterizing each phase. Beginning Friday, June 26, each region in the state entered Phase 4 of the plan. For more information about Restore Illinois and Phase 4, see below.

About the Plan

Who put the plan together?

Governor Pritzker worked closely with medical and public health experts at the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and received feedback from public health and hospital partners as well as local elected officials, mayors, and businesses who have been in regular communication with the administration.

Practice Social Distancing

Pursuant to Executive Order, your employer must comply to the greatest extent feasible with social distancing requirements. This means that your employer should:

How to leave COVID-19 behind when you come home

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states COVID-19 is typically transmitted through respiratory droplets. Providing patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic means you and your family are at risk for exposure. The ideas or recommendations below, are compiled from CDC guidance and describe how to limit the risk to your family as you return home at the end of your workday.

Provisional Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Certificates are NOT an Illinois Department of Public Health IDPH) state license. This is only an EMS system approval recognized by the state.

Who is eligible for a Provisional EMS Certificate?

EMS personnel whose licenses have been expired for less than 60 months as of March 23, 20200 and based on the EMS medical director’s recommendation.

Due to rising cases of COVID-19, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)  canceled all May ambulance inspection appointments.- At the end of May IDPH will re-evaluate if  ambulance inspection cancelations will continue.

Providers, if your ambulance was due to be inspected (e.g., annual ambulance inspection, new ambulance, vehicle was out of service and going back into service), you will need to self-inspect your vehicles and send those inspections to an IDPH ambulance inspector.

Inspections need to be e-mailed accordingly:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has  announced emergency medical services (EMS) licenses.  due to renew in March, April, and May, have been extended to  June 30, 2020. It is IDPH’s goal to provide this extension to allow EMS personnel to focus on the COVID-19 response and the safety and well-being of the Illinois community.

EMS licenses impacted by this extension include: EMT, A-EMT, EMT-I, Paramedic, TNS, ECRN, EMD, PHRN, LI, EMR, Transport Vehicles, Non-Transport Vehicles, Ambulance Assist Vehicles, and Emergency Medical Dispatch Agencies.

As the COVID-19 situation develops, IDPH will keep you up to date with the most current information . Thank you for your continued support to EMS and stay safe.

Last Updated: 6/23/2020

As Illinois is now in a state of emergency and the COVID-19 response escalates, there may be requests for variations to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) rules and regulations in order to meet the demand of patient requests.

In addition, EMS providers may see many of their personnel on quarantine or isolation due to exposures to COVID-19. Considering this, EMS systems should submit the following information whenever requesting a waiver for a EMS rule or requirement:
Changes to Plans or Staffing

PHRNs, PHPA, PHAPN Seeking Provisional Certification (without completing required ALS calls as required in the rule) during COVID -19 Pandemic Response 

• Must have completed the didactic portion of the pre-hospital course.
• Must complete and pass a final pre-hospital or paramedic examination approved by the emergency medical services (EMS) system medical director
• May seek provisional certification after completing course work and testing as approved by the EMS medical director
• Prehospital registered nurses (PHRN), prehospital physicians (PHPA), and prehospital advance practice nurses (PHAPN) must operate in an Illinois EMS system. 
• The PHRN, PHPA, or PHAPN may only operate with another Illinois licensed paramedic or PHRN with at least one-year experience.