Shared on behalf of Jennifer Wintermans, EVP, Communications and Corporate Relations, COVID-19 Lead and Adam Vinet, Executive Vice President, Patient Experience and Chief Nursing Executive
Effective immediately, based on pandemic trigger thresholds, the Emergency Department (ED) has been designated as a Hot Zone and PPE requirements have been augmented.
MASKS & EYE-WEAR
All workers (staff, professional staff, volunteers and learners) in the ED are required to wear a fit tested N95 respirator and eye protection at all times. Staff working behind a physical barrier are not required to wear a N95 respirator, however a surgical mask and eye protection must be worn at all times.
GLOVES & GOWNS
Workers that are providing direct patient care are also required to wear a gown and gloves, in addition to the N95 respirator and eye protection. To avoid spread of infection, gloves are to only be worn when providing direct patient care, and appropriate hand hygiene should be applied before donning and after doffing them. Gloves should not be worn at working stations. Gowns can be maintained as needed.
DOFFING & DISPOSAL
All PPE must be removed and replaced when:
- Exiting the room of a known or suspect COVID-19 patient as well as after all AGMPs
- Exiting the room of a patient on additional precautions
- Soiled or contaminated
Workers are to take the same approach used with procedure masks when managing and discarding their N95 respirator. (Refer to page 5 of the attached PPE guidelines document). For example, an N95 respirator can be reapplied after it has been removed for brief periods of eating or drinking.
SUPPLY & DONNING
Workers without the required PPE must enter ED from the main hallway through the ED administration door and there will be designated donning stations to apply all PPE before entering the department.
Stores will monitor and top-up all PPE supplies daily. For supply questions or concerns, please contact Phil Thompson at thompsph@tbh.net.
Pandemic triggers (prevalence, supply inventory and hospital occupancy) are monitored daily. When recovery triggers have been met, the ED Hot Zone will be reevaluated.