COVID-19 Bulletin: Monday 19 October
October 19, 2020
Welcome to our twice weekly COVID-19 bulletin now being issued on Mondays and Thursdays. The ‘numbers not statistics’ section you usually see below this introduction will be featured on Thursdays to maintain a weekly update.
Things are tough – and may well get tougher – but we remain determined to do what we can to reduce avoidable harm and death among those we are taking care of. Kindness must remain our watchword in all that we do.
- Stay connected – by logging onto our intranet site
Did you know you can access all the latest information on clinical guidance around COVID-19 by going to Connect, our Intranet site?
Colleagues are able to access clinical guidance, the latest guidance on when and where to wear PPE, information on our health and wellbeing initiatives, research and development currently taking place and news around the latest restrictions.
We are continually adding to this section, which you can access by clicking the link here. If there is information that you would like to see please email suggestions to swbh.comms@nhs.net.
2. Increased availability of urgent samples and new delivery process
Colleagues in pre-approved areas are reminded that they are able to access a new Rapid COVID-19 swab test.
This test provides results within two hours from when it is received at the lab.
When submitting this test please ensure you carry out the following action:
Please ensure that the ‘Urgent 2 Hour TAT’ sticker is attached to the outer blue transport bag and is hand delivered to pathology reception. DO NOT put urgent samples into the MediBins.
Pre-approved areas are:
- AMU (both sites)
- ED (both sites)
- If a patient is has new symptoms (any area)
- Paediatrics (for diagnosis and clinical decision making)
- Or following discussion with the on-call microbiologist/IPC team
We have also increased availability of urgent and rapid sampling, going from 16 samples daily to 76 overall. More details can be found in the following document:
3. Sticking to the right restrictions
You may have noticed an array of floor stickers inside and outside our sites, which will aid queueing, correct social distancing and prompt people to wear their masks and use of hand sanitiser.
These are being laid down in the Emergency Departments, Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Outpatient Departments and the Birmingham Treatment Centre as a priority and then other areas will follow.
We hope that these reminders will prompt patients and colleagues to adhere to the restrictions currently in place following a sharp increase in COVID-19 infection rates across Sandwell and Birmingham.
Correct use of PPE is essential. Please ensure you follow these guidelines and challenge others to do the same. Failure to follow our PPE protocols will be taken extremely seriously and could lead to disciplinary action.
- Non-clinical office buildings – colleagues should maintain social distancing and handwashing. There is no requirement to wear masks, however you may wear your own face covering if you choose. However, where 2m social distancing cannot be maintained consistently, you must wear a face mask.
- Clinical areas including wards, clinic rooms and imaging – wear PPE as currently advised (Fluid-resistant surgical mask (FRSM), disposable gloves and apron in all clinical areas with visor/FFP3 for close clinical care/AGP).
- Trust clinical buildings – colleagues must wear a FRSM on entrance to the building and in all communal areas. This includes all corridors.
- If you are attending a meeting or huddle where social distancing cannot be maintained consistently, face masks should be worn.
See our overview here
And then there’s the question of how to wear your mask
The instruction here is simple – your mask should cover your mouth and your nose. See our dos and don’ts graphic.
4. COVID-19 classification changes are in effect
As mentioned at the start of the month, following recent national guidance relating to infection prevention and control we have moved to a new classification system for our services which is now active.
Green Areas: These are areas of low risk where patients have been self-isolating prior to attending or may have had a negative COVID-19 swab result.
Amber Areas: Formerly our blue wards, as you can see by the poster on the right nothing has changed in terms of PPE or swabbing for these areas. It just unifies our classifications with those nationally.
Red Areas: These remain and represent high risk areas where patients with confirmed cases of COVID-19 are being treated or, alternatively, where aerosol generating procedures are being undertaken.
Lilac Areas: While not part of the national guidance, our lilac wards remain in place for now as an additional step down area for patients who have previously tested positive for COVID-19 or who have been in contact with COVID-19 positive patients.
If you have not yet done so, please ensure you are up to date with the status of the ward or area you are working in. Clear guidance on the PPE requirements of each area is displayed on the posters at the entrance to each ward and department and all colour changes are now reflected on the homepage of Connect. The guidance on the new classifications is linked below.
5. Appropriate use of social media – reminder for colleagues
Social media is a very useful tool which allows people to interact with one another, to share information, knowledge and opinions. It penetrates every facet of our society, with few workplaces exempt from its influence. Hence it has never been more important for all colleagues to be mindful of the both the benefits and risks associated with using social media. Please remember to take care and be alert when using social media. When using your own personal social media channels please ensure that you are not breaching patient or staff confidentiality through sharing of identifiable images or information.
This is important as the NHS continues to be in the spotlight particularly from the media, who may be looking for an inside view from staff and get a story taken out of context from your social media channels. Information published on social media channels can quickly go further than your immediate contacts.
If you have any concerns or would like some guidance please talk to the Communications Team on ext. 5303 or by emailing swbh.comms@nhs.net. There is always someone on call 24/7 who you can contact through switchboard in the event of an emergency.
6. SIREN study – why not get involved?
The SIREN study focuses on healthcare workers who have overcome COVID-19 or those who are in a patient-facing role.
SIREN (Sarscov2 Immunity & REinfection EvaluatioN) specifically looks into the impact of antibodies that fight the virus which causes COVID-19. The study is open to anyone working in a hospital building where there will be incidental contact.
Colleagues taking part in the study are asked to complete a registration questionnaire and provide an updated symptom review, nose and throat swabs, and blood samples regularly (usually once every two to four weeks) for up to 12 months.
This is so a full medical timeline of events can be captured showing how a person’s health is affected from before infection to being infected.
Whilst SIREN focuses on healthcare workers only, there are also many other R&D projects being undertaken by the Trust that the public can join. By taking part in research projects we help to speed up the fight against Coronavirus.
For further details on the SIREN study and details on how to join click here.
For information on other COVID-19 studies currently ongoing within the Trust click here.
7. Your mental health and wellbeing is paramount
Your mental health and wellbeing is vital to us. On World Mental Health Day the focus was on you to look after your mental health. We’d like to remind you that we offer a variety of health and wellbeing resources available for you. These include:
- Access to the Thrive app. Go to https://swb.thrive.uk.com to create an account and claim your free access to Thrive.
- Our recharge booth takes place every Thursday. It offers a safe space to come together with others, reflect, recharge, decompress, and join a safe and confidential discussion. For more information please contact Richard Burnell on 07747 144874 or Angharad MacGregor on 07976 322893. Alternatively, drop an email to rechargebooth@nhs.net.
- The wellbeing sanctuary offers a chance for colleagues to de-stress and relax. You can take advantage of a free massage, meditation, music therapy and relaxation hypnotherapy. It is located at the Learning Works on Unett Street, Smethwick, B66 3SY with free onsite parking.
Click here for a detailed list of health and wellbeing resources available to colleagues.
- There is also, for both colleagues and patients, a 24/7 mental health helpline available operated by the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. If you are feeling low, having difficulty sleeping due to things on your mind, suffering from anxiety – anything that is bothering you – if you feel unable to cope and need to speak to someone urgently please dial 0800 008 6516.