Updates
Update, 31 March
Published: 31 March 2020
Guidance extended for further Endoscopic procedures
Following previous updates you will be aware that the guidance on Infection Prevention and Control has been extended. This includes an updated definition of aerosol generating procedures for the following:
- Bronchoscopy and upper ENT airway procedures that involve suctioning
- Upper Gastro-intestinal Endoscopy where there is open suctioning of the upper respiratory tract
Due to the potential for aerosol generation during other endoscopic procedures involving the upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. Trust guidance for PPE is extended to:
- Upper GI endoscopy
- Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
- Endoscopic ultrasound
- Transoesophageal echocardiography
- Flexible laryngoscopy or naso-endoscopy
This is based upon the possible need for suctioning that cannot be predicted.
This includes the use of an FFP3 respirator mask, gown and gloves together with eye protection. Please see the PPE section for further guidance:
FFP3 respirator masks should be fit checked before use and provided the seal remains intact can be worn for at least an hour, or until uncomfortable, damaged or contaminated with bodily fluids.
It is crucial for the protection of patients and staff members within the hospital that adherence to all components of the recommended infection control practice are followed including effective hand hygiene.
Self-fit checking introduced
Due to the requirement to increase critical care capacity and in line with PHE guidance, a thorough risk assessment has taken place and a decision has been made to implement a system of self-fit checking as opposed to fit testing.
This is to ensure that we have a deliverable and sustainable process in place to protect our staff. This decision will be reviewed regularly in line with any further changes to guidance. Plans are in place to provide face to face, training, video training and a Moodle package. Further information will be provided by the IPC and education training teams.
Contacting the PPE Support Group
As you will be aware, the PPE support group has been constituted to respond to changes in PHE guidance and communicate widely with clinical teams. Lynn Willetts, Director of Operations for Division 2, Andrew Woodhouse, Director of Division 6 and Sat Parmar, consultant maxillofacial surgeon, will work with the Infection Prevention and Control team and Deputy Director of Nursing Hayley Flavell.
Please send clinical queries to the group via the COVID19PPE inbox indicating clinical query in the subject box.
Email: COVID19PPE@uhb.nhs.uk
Free Shuttle Bus Service Begins Wednesday 1 April 2020
Recognising the significant pressure on the NHS and the increase in people being recruited, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) will be operating free shuttle bus services from some of the regions Park and Ride sites, rail stations and Metro Stops, providing regular journeys to and from some hospital sites across the West Midlands from Wednesday 1 April 2020.
With the Government travel restrictions currently in place, TfWM’s free Park and Ride sites are not being used and public transport, while still operating, is reduced. This new operation aims to support hospital staff during this time with a free shuttle bus service in and out of hospital sites.
Services will be operated on Ring and Rides mini-bus fleet and social distancing will be maintained on all journeys. All hospital staff are welcome to use the service for free, please have your hospital ID badge to hand.
For more information, please visit the following page:
Completion of MCCDs during COVID-19 response and whilst emergency legislation applies
Good Hope, Heartlands and Solihull hospitals
Write out the proposed COD in full (1a…., 1b….1c….,2….., etc.) in BLOCK capitals on a blank page in the patient’s notes and ensure your name and GMC number are legible.
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham
Write out the proposed COD in full (1a…., 1b….1c….,2….., etc.) in BLOCK capitals on PICS noting along with your name and GMC number.
Bereavement staff will support the medical examiners with the completion of paperwork and will scan and send copies to the Registrar’s Office. The Bereavement team are working with PALs to introduce follow-up telephone support to the Bereaved as families will not be attending the Bereavement Offices to collect paperwork.
This change in death certification processes is necessary to:
- help with maintaining mortuary flow
- reduce numbers of doctors attending Bereavement Offices
- ensure medical examiners maintain oversight of MCCD entries to ensure any that still need to be referred (irrespective of whether the death is COVID-19 related) are referred as required
- ensure medical examiners continue to support accurate completion of MCCDs
MCCD completion refresher resources will be uploaded on moodle/coronavirus micro-site shortly.
If you have any queries contact Dr Kaye England, Lead Medical Examiner or Mdical Directors Services
Email: MedicalDirectorsServices@uhb.nhs.uk
Pathology samples: please label
The PHE Laboratory (Pathology) at Heartlands Hospital are receiving COVID-19 samples mixed in with Chemistry and routine micro samples in the padded transport bags.
Chemistry samples are being delayed as they have entered the microbiology processing stream and staff are opening bags that have not been externally labelled COVID-19.
COVID samples must be placed into Blue Microbiology transport bags and clearly labelled for COVID testing. If being transported by road then the blue bags must be placed inside a rigid transport container which is also labelled COVID.
Blue microbiology bags labelled COVID must not contain any other diagnostic samples.
Please note that all requests for Pathology supplies should be directed to Pathology Stores and not Pathology Specimen Reception at Heartlands Hospital.
If there are specific issues that are being experienced relating to Pathology supplies, please let the stores know so that they can take appropriate action.
Email: PathologyStores@uhb.nhs.uk
QEHB Critical Care shift patterns
Shift times for Critical Care at QEHB as of 1 April 2020, are:
- Early: 07:30 – 15:30
- Late: 12:00 – 20:00
- Long day: 07:30 – 20:00
- Night: 19:30 – 08:00
COVID-19 – Fraud Warning
The fraud threat posed during emergency situations is higher than at other times and fraudsters will try to take advantage of these emergency measures.
Recent mandate fraud attempts include targeting salary payments – if you receive a request for changes to payroll information then please ensure you:
- Always check the details of the sender of an email or a telephone caller before responding in each and every occasion
- Verify email requests for changes not sent from an official NHS email address. Contact the staff member on their NHS email address or phone number. This verification process should include asking them their identity and asking them to confirm details on their record – DOB, NINO, staff number, first line of address
- Always direct staff members to the Trust’s ESR tools to make changes to name, address and bank details instead of effecting changes manually. Do not disclose procedures relating to internal systems, such as ESR, to anyone purporting to be a staff member. Staff need to be aware that the disclosure of procedures will give fraudsters a more ‘credible story’ with which to persuade staff to complete the offence of mandate fraud