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Coronavirus staff guidance University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

PPE key principles

Last updated: 28 October 2021 at 08:58

The key principles for PPE usage are:

  • You must change gloves/aprons between patients
  • You must decontaminate your hands between patients
  • Remember to avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes
  • COVID-19 is spread predominantly by respiratory droplets, hence surgical masks are appropriate for routine care
  • Surgical masks are to be worn by all patients if tolerated, provided this does not compromise care
  • Administration of pressurised humidified oxygen and administration of medication via nebulisation are not aerosol generating procedures
  • Visors must be used when within two metres of patients, regardless of COVID-19 status

Why the change in infection control precautions?

  • New virus, therefore at beginning of outbreak, little was known about route of transmission
  • Now established that spread is by respiratory droplets NOT airborne
  • Precautions the same as for influenza:
    • Surgical masks protect mucous membrane from contamination by large respiratory droplet
    • FFP3 still recommended for AGP and need to protect the supply for this purpose

Sessional PPE usage

A session refers to a period of time where a healthcare professional is caring for patients in a clinical setting.

Masks, visors and gowns can be worn for prolonged periods and unlike gloves and an apron, do not need to be changed between patients.

A session ends when the healthcare worker leaves the care setting/exposure environment.

PPE should be disposed of after each session or earlier if it is damaged, soiled or uncomfortable.

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