This virus is pandemic, suffice to say, its' transmission now involves everyone in the planet, not just healthcare professionals with patients that are positive and those who are query of having the virus itself. As temporary lockdown and community quarantine' measures are being implemented by the world's governments and their prospective local government units, I will focus on the much needed PPEs for our healthcare frontliners as they provide care 24-hours a day.
Level oF Care
As a healthcare provider, we are the so-called frontliners who provide care to patients face to face, day and night. Depending on the level of care a patient needs, may it be for every second, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, hourly... the time we spend on each patient depends on our assessments of what their care needs. Management of the needs of a sick patient who is mobilising very much differ to someone who can't breathe on her/his own. The level of care also tells us of the nurse:patient ratio per shift.
With covid19 patients, a nurse can have other patients if the level of care is less.
Personal Protective Equipments(PPEs)
Having the virus or not, body secretions or fluids are considered contaminants and PPEs must be provided by the hospitals, nursing homes or any establishments that can at anytime have their personnels possibly exposed as such.
In the UK, laws are in placed that protect the work force. Wherein, hospitals for example are mandated to provide proper PPEs so that its' personnels can properly do their jobs without exposing themselves to possible and definite diseases.
Preventing the Transmission of this Virus CoVid19
There are 2 ways of its' transmission.
It is widely known that it can be transmitted through droplets. One, a person positive of the virus can sneeze or cough and the secretions can carry the virus. It is also being mentioned that the virus can be suspended in the air for 3-4 hours causing transmission. Secondly, the virus can stay on surfaces or clothing for sometime, causing another transmission.
Can it be transmitted through airborne?
For those stable patients who are query of having it and while awaiting for test results, our practice is to isolate them. This is an infection control measure for anyone who have a communicable bug until negatively tested. For CoVid19, a negative swab will be followed with a sputum sample if showing respiratory symptoms.
In attending to these patients, our PPE usage differ. Those who are positive includes using a full PPE; a head cover, a pair of eye shields, FFP3 or something similar like N95, a full body gown that covers the front and the back, down to the lower legs. In contrast to those query positives, a surgical mask and body apron are enough.
For the latter group, are the PPEs enough?
Handwashing
Although the isolation rooms in our ward don't have negative pressures, each of these rooms have own toilet/shower and a sink by the door. Our practice is to remove the aprons and gloves inside the room, do handwashing, followed by removing the mask outside the door, use the sanitizer then another handwashing to the nearest sink.
Is the surgical mask enough if the test comes out positive?
For now, the whole hospital follows the infection control recommendations and protocols. As this is a new pandemic with no definite guidelines, protocols changes ever so often and although dissemination is great, basic infection control and prevention stay the same.
Only time will tell if we are doing it properly. As use of PPEs seemed to be the best measure in preventing transmission, the number of patients and the duration of this situation require an unending supply.
Maybe for now we have enough. In foresight, what if they get depleted, are there measures that can be done now in having enough supply in the near future?