Last updated on January 4th, 2022 at 03:32 pm
The number of patients testing positive for COVID-19 is increasing significantly across our hospitals.
It is critical that staff continue to follow ALL PPE and social distancing guidelines and ensure that we continue to protect our patients and each other.
Please remember to check the Staff Covid Website (password STHKcovid19) for all the latest Covid related guidance and information.
In today’s update:
- SYMPTOMATIC STAFF
- SAFETY MEASURES – PPE, SOCIAL DISTANCING AND VISITING RESTRICTIONS
- COVID TEST REQUESTS FOR INPATIENTS AND OUTPATIENTS
SYMPTOMATIC STAFF
There are a number of bugs and viruses currently doing the rounds, including flu-like viruses, but staff are reminded that they MUST self-isolate immediately if they develop symptoms of COVID-19:
- Temperature of 37.5 degrees or more
- New continuous cough
- Loss of taste / smell
DO NOT attend work with any of the above symptoms without having a COVID-19 PCR test to rule out the virus.
If you develop these symptoms, you MUST self-isolate immediately, inform your line manager and be referred to the Self-isolation Team for a PCR test.
You must not attend work until the results of the PCR test are confirmed.
Note that lateral flow tests are not recommended for use on symptomatic people.
SAFETY MEASURES – PPE, SOCIAL DISTANCING AND VISITING RESTRICTIONS
Whilst restrictions have eased for the general public, it is critical that we continue to follow all safety procedures within our healthcare settings.
It is Trust policy that ALL staff MUST wear the appropriate PPE in ALL clinical and non-clinical settings. Any breach in Trust policy may result in disciplinary action
Staff Safety Measures for ALL staff
- It is critical that staff continue to wear the correct PPE in ALL clinical and non-clinical settings, including office areas, and when transferring patients within and outside of the hospitals.
- Surgical face masks (covering noses and mouths) MUST be worn in all public areas and in any area where social distancing is not possible.
- Continue to stay 2m apart
- Continue to wash/sanitise hands frequently, especially when entering sites and clinical areas/wards
- Continue to work from home where possible
- Continue to meet virtually on Microsoft Teams, with face-to-face meetings only taking place where it is possible to maintain social distance between participants
- Continue to change into uniform when you arrive at work and change before leaving to go home (see changing facilities below). Where it is not possible to change at work, which may include those staff who do not have access to changing facilities or those that work in community, clinical uniform must be covered and staff should return directly to their home following completion of their shift changing out of their uniform, before entering a public area
- Continue to keep your working area clean and wipe shared equipment down at least twice a day
- Continue to avoid car sharing when travelling to and from work
Patient Safety Measures
Patients are required to:
- Continue to wear fluid resistant face masks
- Continue to wash/sanitise hands frequently
- Continue to maintain 2m social distancing
Visiting Restrictions
Hospital visiting remains suspended except for patients receiving end of life care, visiting for patients with mental health issues such as dementia or other disabilities, maternity visiting and visiting children.
COVID PCR TEST REQUESTS FOR INPATIENTS AND OUTPATIENTS
ALL requests for either inpatient or outpatient COVID-19 tests must be requested electronically through MEDWAY/CareFlow EPR. Please do not submit requests on paper forms as the clinical details required to be submitted on electronically (on Medway/CareFlow EPR) tfor the laboratory to perform the appropriate testing protocols.
Further information on requesting COVID PCR tests is available at https://covid.sthk.nhs.uk/current-case-definition-and-assessment-flow-chart/