Heartbeat: PPE – Staying safe at work

June 8, 2020

Personal Protective Equipment, otherwise known as PPE has become one of the key talking points during the COVID-19 pandemic. As we learn more about how the virus is transmitted the PPE requirements have changed. This may have caused some confusion and anxiety amongst colleagues. It is important that colleagues understand the correct use of PPE to keep ourselves, patients and colleagues safe.

From FFP3 to N95 masks, gowns to gloves, the assortment of protective equipment has steadily morphed as we have learnt lessons from countries that have battled COVID-19 before us, and changed the way we work to protect ourselves, colleagues and patients.

Throughout this pandemic, from the initial preparation phase to where we are now, one thing has stood the test of time – that being the need to protect colleagues as an utmost priority. From supporting face mask fit testing across the organisation, where almost 5,000 colleagues now know exactly which masks to use to be able to safely care for patients with COVID-19, to ensuring that as a Trust we’re able to adapt our practices to be one step ahead of COVID-19.

To find out more about the work being done to protect colleagues and patients, Heartbeat caught up with Infection Control Lead Nurse, Julie Booth. She said: “We know we need to protect colleagues to be able to continue caring for our patients safely, so it’s important we have the right support in place. We have been working hard to ensure that we’re able to reinforce not only our practices but our provisions to protect staff.

“Colleagues will no doubt have seen all of the posters that have been put up highlighting the red and blue areas as well as top to toe guidance on PPE. We now also have stations on the entrances to every ward area with clear guidance and supplies of PPE and we’re working with colleagues in supplies to ensure that we’re able to keep colleagues protected should there be any further changes to the guidance.”

Colleagues must remember to wash their hands, this is the most important thing that everyone must do regularly alongside ensuring that they are wearing the correct PPE appropriate to the right environment and patient contact. Remember that not everyone in a given ward or department will wear the same; there are differences due to the procedures that each person carries out that dictate the level of PPE.