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Monthly archives: February 2021

Flu Vaccination – drop-in clinics back by popular demand

 

You’ll be pleased to know we have been able to offer some drop-in Flu vaccination clinics.

Colleagues wanting to get the Flu vaccination can pop along to the Berridge Room, Courtyard Gardens, Sandwell Hospital.

  • Wednesday 3 February
  • Monday 8 February

Time: 10am – 3.00pm
Location: Berridge Room, Courtyard Gardens, Sandwell
Vaccinator: Cara Shelton

Remember:

  • If you’re at higher risk from coronavirus, you’re also more at risk of problems from flu
  • If you get flu and coronavirus at the same time, research shows you’re more likely to be seriously ill
  • If you’ve had COVID-19, it’s safe to have the flu vaccine. It’ll be effective at helping to prevent flu.

Getting to know the Executive Team

 

Recently there have been a number of changes to the executive team  following a few appointments and changing roles. Please remember that the executive team are here to support you so please get in touch if you would like to raise anything or have a suggestion on how things can be done differently to make your lives easier.

The Executive Team want to listen and do all they can to help and they are determined to be accessible and available to hear your stories understand your concerns.

Click here to see the current executive team

COVID-19 Vaccination slots available today at City Hospital

 

If you are yet to get your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination, you can pop along to the West Birmingham PCN Vaccine Hub at City this afternoon.

There is currently availability during the clinic up to 6.15pm for colleagues to attend and receive their first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. There is no need to book in for these slots.

The Vaccine Hub at City Hospital is located in the Cardiac Rehab Gym in the Ground Floor of the Sheldon Building.

Remember, the vaccine hub at Sandwell Hospital will reopen for a week from the 8 February to continue with first dose vaccinations. To book in to a clinic at Sandwell, call the booking team on 0121 507 4112.

Online Grand Round: 4 February

 

We will be hosting an online Grand Round on Thursday 4 February, 12.30pm – 1.30pm via WebEx.

The main topic will be around the impact of grief on ourselves and our local community and how the wellbeing of all can be sustained through the COVID-19 pandemic. We will also hear from the Trust bereavement service to report back on the follow up provided those who have lost loved ones in our care.

Please see WebEx joining details below:

You can also find out more details by clicking here.

COVID-19 Bulletin: Monday 1 February

 

1. New: Be smart on uniforms

There is light at the end of what has been a very long and very dark tunnel for us all. As we continue our battles there’s a number of day-to-day today factors and processes that we can all do to help reduce risks and continue good healthcare practice. One item of note that has come up recently is that of uniforms.

It’s important we maintain uniform standards, including abiding by infection control protocols – being bare below the elbows in clinical areas (depending upon current PPE levels), etc.

To directly quote the NHS guidance on the matter: “Effective hygiene and preventing infection transmissions are absolutes in all healthcare settings. Although there is no conclusive evidence that uniforms and workwear play a direct role in spreading infection, the clothes that staff wear should facilitate good care practices and minimise any risk to patients. Uniforms and workwear should not impede effective hand hygiene and should not unintentionally come into contact with patients during direct patient care activities. Similarly, nothing should be worn that could compromise patient or staff safety during care, for example any nails products, rings, earrings other than studs, and necklaces.”

2. Update: Swabbing pathway changes

As always, we are constantly evaluating our procedures and recommendations to see what provides the best outcome. Sometimes this results in change: as a result of guidance from outside the Trust, in reaction to the changing situation in our local community, as a necessity due to altered supplies or the availability of our clinical partners, and of course our own findings as a healthcare Trust.

Our existing guidance relating to the swabbing pathway are the latest to receive an update.

In summary, the sensitivity of a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test is around  80 per cent. With this in mind, colleagues must look at the clinical presentation with swab result  when deciding how to stream a patient. For example if the swab is negative but the clinical presentation is highly suggestive of COVID-19 they must be streamed onto a Red ward or for patient presenting with low suspicion of COVID-19 and in Red stream initially, with subsequent negative swab result must be transferred onto a Contact ward (Newton 3) while they await a further PCR test.

You can find the guidance in full on the Connect swabbing pathways page.

3. Reminder: Start the week safely, let’s talk PPE

After uniform, let’s talk PPE. A reminder once again that following further risk assessment in relation to PPE usage in our clinical areas, taking into account:

  • Current high volume of infection rates in the community
  • The corresponding high number of COVID-19 admissions
  • Some cases where patients on amber non-COVID wards have subsequently had a positive COVID PCR swab test after initial negative test
  • The ventilation in our ward areas.

The required level of PPE in these inpatient environments has increased for some staff. This is above and beyond the current national guidelines.  This is under constant review and may well change if the regular review of the risk assessment indicates that the risk is lowered.

For all inpatient areas where there is direct patient contact (in red and amber wards), staff should wear:

  • A silicone mask/FFP3 mask and a visor, these can be sessional use. Single use gloves and aprons (please ensure you have been fit tested for an FFP3 mask before use).
  • You should wear a fluid-resistant surgical face mask if you do not have direct patient contact.  Non-direct patient contact includes walking on a ward area, pharmacists, clerical staff, estates and facilities staff. Disposable gloves/aprons should be worn for contact with patients/immediate environment. Porters who are transferring patients should wear FFP3/silicone face mask when transferring patients to red and amber wards.
  • If you are visiting the ward from another area, a minimum requirement when entering the unit will be to wear a fluid resistant surgical face mask

Please note: staff must follow their individual risk assessment for PPE, occasionally this will recommend a higher level of protection depending on your individual assessment.

For all outpatients and community staff inclusive of health visitors/school nurses/GP practices, for staff visiting care home facilities, patients and families homes, surgical face masks and visors should be worn as a minimum with a disposable apron and gloves for direct patient care.

If clinical intervention is required, a clinical risk assessment should be undertaken prior to the contact to establish whether there is a requirement for a higher level of PPE.

For example if a patient with a known respiratory condition has a persistent cough (not COVID related), an FFP3 and a visor should be worn in the event that the contact is essential and cannot be delayed.

Porters and facilities staff on wards can continue to wear a surgical face mask. However, if they are in direct patient contact they will then need to follow the guidelines outlined above for inpatient staff.

If you have any questions please speak to your line manager or infection control who will advise you.

Star of the Week – Ash Turner

 

Our Star of the Week this week is Ash Turner – Clinical Research Charge Nurse.

Ash was nominated for the weekly accolade for his work in promoting and delivering the RECOVERY COVID-19 trial.

Nominating Ash for the award, Consultant Nigel Trudgill wrote, “Ash Turner has been absolutely crucial to the delivery within the Trust of the vital international study RECOVERY on COVID-19 therapies. His efforts have contributed to the development of the main therapy that saves lives in COVID-19 infection – dexamethasone – becoming the standard of care throughout the world.

“The work he has done to embed Recovery on the acute medical units has been a perfect example of how to engage and support clinical teams to achieve maximal recruitment to such a critical clinical trial at a difficult time for everyone within the trust in the midst of a pandemic.

“He is proactive, engaging and always available for clinicians to go to for support. His ‘can do’ attitude, resilience and passion are great strengths and he has been a great support during very challenging times.”

Do you know someone in your team that has gone above and beyond the call of duty? Why not put them forward for Star of the Week by clicking here.

Limited shuttle at lunch time today

 

There will only be one shuttle running between 12:00 – 1pm today, normal service will resume from 1pm.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

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