***UPDATED GUIDANCE – 11 SEPTEMBER 2020***
Monash Health has reviewed its practice of disposable shields. In line with DHHS guidance, disposable shields and goggles must be used once only and discarded.
Shields and goggles are to be treated like a mask, discarded when taking a break, or when visibly soiled and should not be reapplied.
This means that the cleaning of face shields is no longer required.
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The use of face shields will be progressively rolled out across the organisation, firstly to areas identified as high-risk and then gradually across all patient-facing, clinical and community areas.
So that we are able to protect you, your loved ones, our patients and the community we are asking you to wear disposable face shields.
We will be providing our employees in these areas with face shields and you will be required to wear them while on shift. Face shields offer an additional layer of protection by covering your eyes, nose and mouth as well as helping to prevent you from touching your face.
Goggles are not required to be worn in addition to a face shield as the face shield offers the eye protection required.
The following guidance is to assist you in keeping your face shield clean, with some basic hygiene principles.
You will be provided with a Single Person Disposable Face Shield each time you start a shift. You must label this shield and keep it with you during the course of your day – even when you are on break. The face shield will need to be kept clean and disinfected until you conclude your shift, where you will need to dispose of it in the general waste bins.
The poster below is a step-by-step guide on how to maintain Face Shield Hygiene throughout your shift.
Donning & Doffing Single Use Face Shields poster
If you are working in the community ensure you are following the few extra steps in these instructions – Donning & Doffing Single Use Face Shields (Community) poster
To find out more about the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) visit: https://coronavirus.monashhealth.org/protecting-yourself/ppe-info/
Approved by Rhonda Stuart, Director Infection Prevention and Epidemiology, 21 July 2020.