Updates
Update, 26 March
Published: 26 March 2020
Social media "undermining efforts"
The Trust’s COVID-19 Medical and Scientific Advisory Group members have urged staff to carefully consider the use of unauthorised, locally made videos which are "fuelling misinformation" about COVID-19 and its treatment, particularly in the use of PPE.
The group, which comprises senior clinicians from across the Trust’s specialties, regularly updates authorised information for the intranet to support staff in their work, and is concerned that social media posts by individual staff will "undermine our efforts and slowly damage morale".
The group stated: “We have clear PPE guidance which is widely disseminated. The misuse of social media to post misinformation only serves to confuse and cause anxiety amongst our frontline teams.”
Staff are advised to view the official sources of guidance on this microsite, which is updated daily.
Social distancing at work
The majority of people across the UK are now practising social distancing by working from home, cancelling trips and postponing events.
While the Trust has encouraged home working where possible, our "key workers" will still have to travel, come into close contact with other people and perform their jobs in the work place instead of at home.
Many of our staff will also still need to use public transport to get to and from work. It is advised that - where possible - anyone travelling tries to maintain at least a two metre distance between them and anyone else nearby.
According to the World Health Organisation, individuals can still ensure social distancing by maintaining "at least one metre (three feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing," adding that when an infected person coughs or sneezes, they spray small liquid droplets which may contain the virus.
PHE advise those who cannot practice social distancing for work reasons and are unable to maintain the advised one metre distance apart to:
- wash your hands on arrival and often, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser in order to reduce the risk to oneself and other people
- frequently clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that are touched regularly, using your standard cleaning products
If you become unwell, especially with symptoms of coronavirus (a continuous cough or a high temperature) you should inform your line manager and go home immediately.
COVID-19 cleans
To help us manage the sustained rise in demand on front-line services, please follow these guidelines when requesting appropriate bed space cleans through the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak.
All Wards including the Emergency Department
- Suspected Coronavirus case patients with no bodily fluid spillages are a ** green nurse-led clean only with no curtain change unless curtains are visibly soiled
- Patient who has had an aerosol-generating procedure, if bodily fluids are present or the patient has tested positive for Coronavirus, is a green nurse-led clean followed by an amber housekeeping clean with curtain change
** All green cleans using Clinell wipes to wipe down beds / trolleys, other touch points and over-bed tables (if supplied) should be completed by nursing staff before requesting Housekeeping to complete the floor, bins, curtain changes and, where required, carry out an amber clean.
Emergency Department only
- Patients who have been in the ED department for six hours or more are a nurse-led green clean followed by an amber Housekeeping clean with curtain change if curtain is visibly soiled.
Working together we will ensure there is sufficient resource to ensure patient flow is not compromised through cleaning delays.
PPE: new supplies
To ensure current stocks stay at sustainable levels, we have been resourcing re-usable safety glasses and goggles for use in Critical Care and AMU. Supplies to these areas will start from today.
We are also looking to supply CC and AMU with re-usable theatre gowns to help with the flow of PPE. These should not be thrown away but cleaned between uses.
For the latest PPE guidance, please visit the link below:
Verification of death in patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection
At the time of verifying a patient’s death in their notes (or on PICS), please complete the additional checklist. This will reduce the number of times a body bag is opened after death and inform mortuary staff of possible/confirmed infection.
It will also alert them to the presence of devices that need removal prior to cremation and help flow through the mortuary.
This form should go into the outside pocket of the body bag with the body bag form and the notice of death should still be completed by the nursing staff.
NHS staff targeted: look after yourselves
Staff are reminded to remain vigilant to prevent theft of ID badges, particularly when travelling to and from work and when attending supermarkets during NHS shopping hours.
For your own protection, and to support IP&C, please adhere to the Uniform Policy:
- Staff who travel to and from work in Trust uniforms, where there are no changing facilities available, must cover their uniform during their journey between their home and place of work (and in commercial premises).
Avoid having badges on show while in supermarkets (stores only ask for ID to be shown on entry) and keep your ID in a secure place.
Any such incidents should be reported to the Police and logged on Datix.