Dear colleagues,
Further to the Trust’s announcement on Wednesday to enhance PPE protection for staff, Public Health England have now released their latest guidance and we can confirm the equipment to be used by staff within our hospitals and across the community is as follows:
- Staff working in clinical areas and not in direct contact with patients should wear a surgical mask
Masks are to be changed every 3 hours, or when moving from one clinical department to another, or if it becomes damaged or soiled.
Eye protection (goggles or visor) only needs to be worn if there is a risk of bodily fluids splashing on the face. - Staff in direct contact with patients (including the cohort wards) should wear a surgical mask, apron, gloves and eye protection (goggles or visor).
Masks are to be changed every 3 hours or when moving from one clinical department to another, or if it becomes damaged or soiled.
Gloves and aprons are to be changed after each patient contact or episode of patient care.
Goggles can be reused and cleaned using orange top wipes. Some visors can be cleaned and reused, please check. - Staff transferring patients should wear a surgical mask, apron and gloves
Masks are to be changed every 3 hours, or when moving from one clinical department to another, or if it becomes damaged or soiled.
Gloves and apron are to be changed after each patient contact or episode of patient care.
Eye protection (goggles or visor) only needs to be worn if there is a risk of bodily fluids splashing on the face.
- Staff working in ICU/HDU, ED Resus, Wards with Non-Invasive Ventilation and operating theatres with aerosol generating procedures (AGP), should wear FFP3 mask, gloves, gown, apron and eye protection (goggles or visor).
FFP3 Masks are to be changed every 6 hours or when moving from one clinical department to another.
Gloves and aprons are to be changed after each patient contact or episode of patient care.
Gowns are to be changed when moving from one clinical department to another.
Goggles can be reused and cleaned using orange top wipes. Some visors can be cleaned and reused, please check. - Staff outside of ICU/HDU, ED Resus and operating theatres, carrying out aerosol generating procedures (AGP) e.g. CPR on a general ward, must wear an FFP3 mask, gown, gloves and eye protection.
All PPE must be changed after each patient contact or episode of patient care. - Staff working in Delivery Suite/home births should wear a surgical mask, gown, gloves, apron and eye protection (goggles or visor).
Masks are to be changed every 3 hours or when moving from one clinical department to another, or if it becomes damaged or soiled.
Gloves, gowns and aprons are to be changed after each patient contact or episode of patient care.
Goggles can be reused and cleaned using orange top wipes. Some visors can be cleaned and reused, please check.
- Staff working in non-patient facing areas (e.g. pharmacy, labs), where 2 metre social distancing cannot be achieved, should wear a fluid resistant surgical mask
Masks are to be changed every 3 hours, or when moving from one clinical department to another, or if it becomes damaged or soiled.
- Staff delivering goods to clinical areas should wear a surgical mask
Masks are to be changed every 3 hours or if it becomes damaged or soiled.
- Staff working in non-patient facing areas where 2 metre social distancing CAN be achieved do not need to wear PPE.
- Staff should NOT wear masks in the restaurants or shops, rest areas or communal spaces where you can maintain social distancing of 2 metres.
Please ensure that all equipment is disposed of in the ORANGE waste bags/bins provided NOT YELLOW, and you follow the appropriate hand hygiene procedures.
To access supplies, please speak to your line manager.
PHE’s detailed guide on what protective equipment is required across the Trust can be found here:
In a hospital setting: http://nww.sthk.nhs.uk/about/Documents/Recommended%20PPE%20for%20healthcare%20workers%20by%20secondary%20care%20clinical%20context%203.4.20.pdf
Primary and Community: http://nww.sthk.nhs.uk/about/Documents/Recommended%20PPE%20for%20primary%20outpatient%20and%20community%20care%20by%20setting%20poster%203.4.20.pdf
Thank you for your continued hard work.
Ann Marr OBE
Chief Executive
Rowan Pritchard Jones
Medical Director