COVID-19 PPE information

Droplet and faecal spread seem to be the primary forms of transmission of Corona viruses. Either direct contact with droplets coughed at you or onto surfaces that are then transferred to you are the principle concerns in General Practice.

Further Reading:

Best Face Masks – NY Times

Virus Protection – CDC

Handwashing – CDC

For most patient encounters where COVID-19 disease is possible but aerosol generating procedures are not anticipated, must involve:

Hand Hygiene

This should involve hand washing prior to and after patient contact with soap and warm water ideally and needs to be facilitated by:

  • Bare to the elbows
  • Removal of all hand and wrist jewellery (Single metal ring bands are acceptable)
  • Clean short fingernails and no artificial nails or nail products
  • All cuts or abrasions covered with waterproof dressings

Basic Protection

  • Disposable aprons
  • Disposable gloves
  • Fluid resistant face mask
  • Eye protection should be worn when there is a risk of contamination to the eyes from splashing of secretions (including respiratory secretions), blood body fluids or excretions. An individual risk assessment should be carried out prior to/at the time of providing care

Eye/face protection can be achieved by the use of any one of the following:

  • surgical mask
  • full face shield/visor
  • polycarbonate safety spectacles or equivalent

Face masks for general patient assessment only need to be Fluid resistant Surgical mask types. Higher levels of protection FFP-3 masks are used for aerosol generating procedures and need to be fit tested ideally. It is not anticipated that these will be needed in most General practice situations.