A focus on Personal Protective Equipment
As of today, we have:
- Five COVID-19 positive inpatients
- No employees with COVID-19
- 137 employees in precautionary quarantine
A strong emphasis on safety is a key defence against the risk of COVID-19 transmission within our health service. Putting safety first in all that we do is critical to protecting ourselves, our patients, and our health service’s ongoing operation.
Correct PPE usage is one of our cornerstone safety measures, and we have seen through exposures in our health service and others how effective it can be in containing and often preventing the spread of COVID-19 when it is used properly.
Understanding which PPE to use
- SCOVID and COVID-19 areas
Tier 3 PPE – gloves, gown, N95, and eye protection - Patient-facing areas
Tier 1 PPE – N95 mask and eye protection (face shields are preferred over goggles; however, goggles are acceptable) - If you have no contact with patients
Tier 0 PPE – surgical maskIf entering a clinical area, you must don an N95 mask and eye protection. If walking past a clinical area or through a public area, a surgical mask is appropriate.
This does not include any COVID-19 management area where full tier 3 is required.
The levels of PPE required in different working situations are outlined in our PPE Compulsory Standards.
If you are unable to wear the required level of PPE for the environment you are working in, please talk to your manager, who may consult with the Employee COVID-19 Hotline on 9594 5815 for advice.
Fit testing N95 masks
Fit testing is important for those caring for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients and when in a COVID-19 management area, as set out in the compulsory PPE requirements.
Fit testing is the process of trying a range of makes, models and sizes of N95 masks to identify the models that provide the most efficient seal for your face and is an additional safety measure in the protection from infective aerosols. Fit testing takes around an hour and is managed by a trained operator using quantitative fit-testing equipment.
If you are not yet fit tested and work in a patient facing role you need to do a fit check of the mask. This is a safe and effective measure to ensure the N95 fits appropriately. How to do a fit check is outlined here.
The ‘trident’ mask has proven to fit 98.8% of Monash Health employees and should be checked first. Employees can then proceed to fit check masks until a satisfactory check is achieved.
If you work in a clinical area and require fit testing, click on this link to book an appointment.
For more information about fit testing, you can watch this video.
Fit checking N95 masks
Fit checking is the practice of checking for an effective seal around the edges of an N95 every time you use one. It involves feeling for air escaping, a strong seal against the face, and a visual inspection to check if the respirator collapses as you inhale and fills up when you exhale.
A fit check should be performed whenever an N95 mask is worn. You can learn how to perform a fit check by watching any of the PPE donning and doffing videos.
Use of N95 masks
An N95 mask can stay on for up to four hours unless soiled, wet, or you need to remove it for a meal break. If you take your mask off, you must not re-use it. Please ensure it is disposed of correctly.
If you touch a mask while wearing it, the mask can continue to be worn, but you must practice correct hand hygiene immediately.
Advice on the use of N95 masks is available here.
Use of masks with facial hair
If you have facial hair, it will impact the effectiveness of your mask. For a quick overview of the facial hairstyles that will affect your mask’s seal, you can view this graphic from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. If you have facial hair, you will not be able to achieve an adequate seal when ‘fit checking’.
Wearing surgical masks correctly
Both your mouth and nose need to be contained within the mask. Masks can be removed when stationary to eat and drink but should not be removed to eat or drink while walking through clinical and public areas.
Advice on the use of surgical masks is available here.
Mask discomfort
Masks can be uncomfortable, particularly when worn for long periods of time.
Ear Saver Straps are available to prevent pressure or discomfort caused by wearing a mask. Ear Saver Straps are available through iProc (code 402405) and located in clinical areas. Ask for a Nurse or Midwife in charge to provide this.
Some employees may encounter allergic symptoms related to the use of masks. In response, the Allergy and Dermatology departments have developed an emergency telehealth clinic for Monash Health employees and guidance on mask comfort. You can read more here.
Eye protection
The minimum PPE requirement for employees in patient-facing areas is an N95 mask and eye protection. Eye protection can be either face shields or goggles, but face shields are preferred because of the protection they provide from droplets.
Employees who wear glasses (spectacles) must also wear eye protection. Glasses alone do not provide adequate protection.
PPE training
To support your use of PPE, we have developed face-to-face training sessions across our sites and virtually via Webex. There is also an online LATTE training module.
All patient-facing employees must complete both LATTE and face-to-face training. Read more about Personal Protective Equipment training here.
Donning and doffing PPE
How you put on and take off your PPE (donning and doffing) is critical in ensuring its effectiveness. This is covered in our PPE training, which is compulsory for all patient-facing employees.
You can learn more by watching any of the PPE donning and doffing videos.
PPE supply
In the early stages of the pandemic, there were concerns about PPE supply as the world significantly increased its demand for masks, shields, gloves and gowns.
Manufacturers have adapted, and we have sufficient PPE supply to ensure all employees are provided with the PPE set out in our compulsory PPE requirements.
As PPE is sourced from a broad range of suppliers, there may be times when the usual brand is not available. Rest assured that all PPE in use has met the required standards.
If you work in a patient-facing area, and the model of N95 mask that you have been fit-tested for is not available, you may need to undertake further fit testing. In the interim, you should conduct a fit check with the available mask.
Mask exemptions and how to ask the question
Employees who have a medical condition that prevent them from wearing a mask must work with their manager to determine the most appropriate action for them. Managers may seek advice from the Employee COVID-19 Hotline on 9594 5815.
If you’re unsure why someone isn’t wearing a mask and are in a situation where you need to talk to them about mask-wearing, you can note that your request is conditional by respectfully asking them to wear a mask if they can.
When asking the question, you can also remind the visitor that wearing a mask is for their protection and the protection of those around them.
If they advise that they have a lawful exemption, they should not be asked to provide evidence.
We have extensive resources to support your use of PPE. Please make use of them and if you have any questions, please never hesitate to talk with your manager.
As ever, thank you for the work you do for our patients, community, and each other.
Andrew Stripp
Chief Executive
Andrew Stripp
Chief Executive
All managers are requested to share these updates with their teams and discuss at stand-ups and handovers. Please print a copy and display it in communication books and on employee noticeboards.
As advice and information evolve, please consult the latest updates and visit the Department of Health and Human Services and Monash Health COVID-19 website for employees regularly for the latest.