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COVID-19 bulletin: Saturday 21 March

March 21, 2020

The Trust is now publishing a daily bulletin. This will take all guidance and information and tell you which changes we are implementing when and how. Please use this bulletin and daily cascade arrangements within clinical groups to guide local action. Remember KINDNESS is our watchword in implementing these changes.

1. Social Distancing – Preventing the spread of Covid-19

Social distancing is one of the many measures you should take to help prevent the transmission of Coronavirus (Covid-19). Along with ensuring you follow guidance on wearing the appropriate PPE to washing your hands thoroughly and regularly, social distancing helps you manage social interactions which may inadvertently put you at risk.

  • Meetings in confined rooms should be avoided and moved to phone calls, conference calls or webex. Where face to face meetings are necessary, look to hold these in rooms where you can spread out with a reasonable distance between colleagues.
  • Make use of technology where possible. Alongside emails, all colleagues have access to Whatsapp Web which allows you to instant message colleagues from desktops, laptops and mobile phones.
  • If you are not sure of the phone number for a colleague, either dial 0 from a Trust landline or 4000 from a Trust mobile phone and use IVOR, our automated phone service.
  • Avoid gathering in close proximity in communal areas, respect the personal space of those around you.
  • Don’t shake hands with visitors or colleagues, a respectful nod, bow or elbow bump is sufficient.

If you have any queries about tech you can use to work remotely, you can find further guidance in the attached briefing or contact the IT helpdesk on 0121 507 4050

2. Protecting yourself and your families whilst working on the front-line

If you are cohabiting with friends or family and you are concerned that you may be at risk of exposure to the Coronavirus you can arrange to book one of the hotel rooms that the Trust has secured. These rooms are currently being allocated to frontline staff who are looking to safeguard themselves from catching the virus from symptomatic friends or family who they currently live with.

Our Trust is one of the first in the country to offer this resource and we are keen to make it available to our staff. If you feel you need access to one of these rooms you can request one by emailing swbh.hotel-booking@nhs.net detailing your requirements.

To clarify, these hotel rooms are a resource for key staff to use to isolate themselves from symptomatic friends and family, to safeguard their wellbeing and to support their ability to continue providing safe and effective services.

The best ways to protect your friends and family from Coronavirus are to wear appropriate PPE and strictly adhere to the infection control procedures including regular and thorough handwashing.

For further information and advice on self-isolation and absence read the interim guidance available here: Interim Staff Guidance on absence from work (19 March)

3. Deteriorating Patient and Resuscitation: Cardiac Arrest Guidance

The Resuscitation Council UK has updated advice this week stating ‘As a minimum, you require a gown, eye protection, gloves and FFP3 mask / hood before starting chest compressions in patients who are likely to have COVID-19’.

It is reasonable to wear PPE including a surgical mask to recognise cardiac arrest: Feel for a carotid pulse if trained to do so. Do not listen or feel for breathing by placing your ear and cheek close to the patient’s mouth.

Another member of staff wearing PPE with FFP3 will need to take over from you – DO NOT try to swap your mask without full donning technique

  • DO compression-only CPR
  • Monitor the patient’s cardiac arrest rhythm as soon as possible
  • DO NOT do rescue breaths; leave any face mask oxygen in place

The full guidance is available on the Resuscitation Council UK website.

4. Transfer Tubs – Infection control on the go

All Covid-19 designated areas from today (Saturday 21 March) now have ‘Transfer Tubs’ available. These are green tubs of Clinell wipes that should be used when transferring patients who are query or confirmed for Covid-19 between clinical areas.

Colleagues involved in the transfer should ensure that touch points and surfaces that the patient and transfer team comes in to contact with during their journey are suitably wiped down and clean, ready for the next use. This should include touch points in lifts such as call buttons, level buttons and grab rails.

5. Changes to Public Transport

Starting from Monday (23 March) the frequency of train services will be reduced across the country. New timetables will be available online over the weekend from train operating companies. Between Monday (23 March) and Wednesday (25 March) bus operators may reduce the frequency of the services they operate in the West Midlands. New timetables will be available online from Monday. West Midlands Metro services are expected to remain as normal next week but do check for updates in case the situation changes.

Everyone will still be able to get to where they need to go, however, the time at which you normally travel may need to change. We are encouraging everyone to plan ahead at: https://www.networkwestmidlands.com/plan-your-journey/network-overview/

6. Deliveries from NHS Supply Chain

NHS Supply Chain are currently running behind on some orders, that may mean a later delivery than usual. Please bear with the Receipts and Distribution Team at this time.

To ease the demand on the supply chain please focus any supplies orders on medical items and urgent and critical supplies. Stationery orders should not be placed unless they are absolutely necessary.

For more information contact Lisa Southall, NHS Supply Chain & Procurement Supervisor on ext 4938