Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 11:44 am
In today’s update:
- Wearing of masks
Wearing of masks
Masks no longer need to be worn in all clinical areas within the Trust (including acute admission and augmented care areas) except in the following scenarios.
Providing direct patient care – not carrying out an aerosol generating procedure:
- Staff MUST wear a standard full set of PPE (i.e. type IIR surgical mask, gloves, apron plus if there is significant risk of exposure to bodily fluids eye protection) when caring for any patient with any suspected or confirmed respiratory infection (including COVID-19)
- Staff MUST wear gloves and apron when caring for any patient without suspected or confirmed respiratory infection but with non-respiratory cross infection hazards requiring contact precautions (e.g. MRSA/CDI/VRE/CPE)
Aerosol generating procedures (AGPs):
- When carrying out AGPs on patients with any suspected or confirmed respiratory infection, staff MUST continue to wear an FFP3 mask, visor, gloves and long sleeved fluid repellent gown
- When carrying out AGPs on patients without a suspected or confirmed respiratory infection, staff MUST wear : FFP3 mask, visor, gloves and apron. In such patients, a long sleeved gown is required only if there is significant risk of exposure to bodily fluids
Wards/areas with current COVID or other respiratory viral infections:
- All staff in these areas must wear a type IIR surgical mask even when not providing direct clinical care.
For staff who wish to continue to wear masks, based on personal preference or their individual Health Work and Wellbeing risk assessment, in scenarios other than those detailed in the PPE guidance, type IIR surgical masks will continue to be available in all clinical and non-clinical areas.