Trust PPE guidance – reminder
Full details of current PPE guidance can be found at What to wear and when – STHK COVID-19 Guidance
A summary of the key changes are below:
Wearing of masks:
Masks no longer need to be worn in Trust buildings – With some exceptions (see below)
ALL Staff MUST wear type IIR surgical masks when:
- Providing direct clinical care to untriaged patients in areas where potential for respiratory infection is high
(specifically Emergency Department including SDEC, AMU, Bevan Court 1 Ambulatory Care, Urgent Treatment Centre as well as first home visit by Community Services staff)
- Providing direct clinical care to any patients on 2A (including Satchi Suite) and Lilac Centre (as these patients are more likely to be highly vulnerable to respiratory infections including COVID-19)
- Where a ward/department is designated an outbreak area, even if not providing direct clinical care
Providing direct patient care – not carrying out an aerosol generating procedure
There is no longer a requirement to wear a full set of standard PPE when providing direct clinical care (i.e. within 2m) of any patient. However,
- 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
For staff who wish to continue to wear masks, based on personal preference or their individual Health Work and Well Being 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.