COVID-19 Bulletin: Thursday 28 April

April 28, 2022

Numbers not statistics: This week (last week)

1. New: IPC guidance

Our IPC guidance is remaining the same in light of the national guidance for the NHS. It is really important that all staff continue to wear masks in all shared areas (including non-clinical areas). Transmission of COVID-19 is still high with this current variant and we need to ensure we protect ourselves, our loved ones and our patients and minimise risk of passing on or catching COVID-19. Our IPC arrangements continue to be reviewed weekly based on community case rates, hospital outbreaks, inpatient numbers and staff absence due to COVID-19.

For the present time, please continue to follow our existing IPC guidance which includes:

Social distancing:

Please continue to abide by social distancing measures to keep a minimum of 1 metre between you and those around you at all times, including when you go for breaks and lunch.

Face masks:

Colleagues and patients are also required to ensure they wear masks in communal areas in our hospital buildings and in rest areas. Colleagues are reminded to ensure they follow the correct PPE guidance when in direct contact with patients. You must also follow your individual risk assessment for PPE. Occasionally this will recommend a higher level of protection depending on your individual assessment.

Audits of mask compliance are currently taking place. If you see someone not wearing a mask where they should be, please feel free to respectfully challenge.

Hand washing:

This is an essential part of infection, prevention and control. All colleagues must wash their hands and or use hand sanitiser frequently and always on entering and exiting clinical areas.

Bare below the elbow:

Please ensure that you are bare below the elbow whilst in clinical areas. This means your sleeves must be rolled up and any wrist jewellery should be removed, prior to entering the area.

Coats and bags:

Outdoor coats should be removed prior to entering a clinical area and should be placed, along with bags in lockers. They should not be taken into the main ward area. Handbags should not to be taken on ward rounds.

If you need further advice you can contact the infection control team on ext. 5900 or email  swb-tr.SWBH-Team-InfectionControl@nhs.net.

2. New: Visiting – new arrangements for end of life patients in critical care

The arrangements for visiting end of life patients in critical care have changed. Patients who are called to visit a loved one in the intensive care unit, because they are, sadly, dying and at the end of their life have new arrangements, facilitated by the ICU team as follows:

1. Visits to people at the end of their life in ICU can have up to five visitors (next of kin or equivalent) but a maximum of three at the bedside at any one time (rotating between those waiting and those at the bedside).
2. Additional people will not be able to remain within the ICU waiting room and are encouraged not to attend hospital.
3. Visitors must be agreed when the request is made and cannot be changed.
4. Visitors are allowed unlimited time at bedsides with patients.
5. All visitors must be free of COVID-19 symptoms, and they must not attend if they are a household contact of a COVID-19 positive case.
6. We regret children (under 16 years) or those who are immunocompromised are currently not allowed to visit.
7. Visitors do not need to provide proof of negative lateral flow tests.
8. All visitors must wear PPE.
9. All visitors will receive a risk explanation from the ICU team.

Please be aware that if your loved one is moved from ICU to the ward for ongoing palliative (end of life) care this same level of access cannot be guaranteed – cases will be considered on an individual basis

Routine daily visiting in ICU remains the same which is a one hour booked daily visit.

We continue to review visiting arrangements based on a risk assessment taking into account COVID-19 case rates in the community and the numbers of COVID-19 cases in our hospitals.

3. New: Violence and aggression from visitors

Regrettably there have been incidents of verbal aggression from visitors towards staff when asked to comply with our restricted visiting arrangements. We understand that relatives and other visitors may be distressed when they visit, however, it is not acceptable for staff to have to face verbal of physical aggression when asking people to following our visiting guidance. Please escalate any cases immediately. Security can be contacted for support if you feel unsafe.

We would request that as visits are booked, staff are clear with visitors about our visiting restrictions so that they are prepared and fully informed before they reach our sites. Managing these expectations will help visitors to understand our arrangements ahead of their visit rather than be surprised and upset if informed on the day. Thank you for your support with this.

4. New: International Workers Memorial Day

Today, (April 28^th) marked International Workers Memorial Day (#IWMD). Around the world, unions remember workers – it provides an opportunity to reflect, mourn, share memories of colleagues and loved ones who have lost their lives.

A workers memorial wall has been set up online which Staffside are in support of. If anyone would like to submit a tribute, please visit https://www.tuc.org.uk/workers-memorial-wall.

5. Reminder: The Big Conversation – the challenges of COVID-19

The Big Conversation is an free online two-day initiative, convened by the Improvement Directorate within NHS England and NHS Improvement, AQuA (the Advancing Quality Alliance), the Q Community of the Health Foundation and lived experience partners.

On Wednesday 11 May and Thursday 12 May, they are bringing together people from across the health and care systems for a range of interactive discussions, workshops and presentations, giving a space for people to talk through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, explore continuous improvement opportunities and share fresh insights and ideas on how to promote the improvement of health and care for the benefit of all NHS colleagues, people who use our services and their unpaid carers.

For more information and to sign up, please click here.

            6. Reminder: How to order your lateral flow test kits

You will know by now that it is Trust policy and national NHS guidance to for colleagues to complete twice weekly lateral flow tests before coming in to work. This is to ensure we understand the spread of the COVID-19 virus and that we are able to minimise the risk of transmission.

Lateral flow tests are free to NHS staff. You can order your lateral flow kit by visiting https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests. You will be prompted to set up an account using your NHS email address. Once set up please select “Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust” from the list and continue to place your order.

All completed lateral flow tests must be reported on the Trust Lateral Flow Test reporting form which can be found by clicking here.

Please ensure you only report your test results on the Trust system and not to duplicate your submission on the national reporting system.