The EAHP Board, elected for three-year terms, oversees the association’s activities. Comprising directors responsible for core functions, it meets regularly to implement strategic goals. Supported by EAHP staff, the Board controls finances, coordinates congress organization, and ensures compliance with statutes and codes of conduct.
A PROTOCOL FOR PLACEMENT AND REMOVAL OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT IN A POSSIBLE CASE OF CORONAVIRUS SARS-CoV-2
European Statement
Selection, Procurement and Distribution
Author(s)
Rebeca Iglesias-Barreira, Emilio Rubén Pego-Pérez, Carlos Sandoval-Aquino, Cristina López-Pardo y Pardo, Maria Jesús Rodríguez-Gay
Why was it done?
To guarantee workers safety as well as optimize the use of PPE in the hospital.
What was done?
To develop a protocol for placement and removal of personal protective equipment (PPE), established for contact with possible or confirmed coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infected patients, taking into account the medical devices (MD) available during the pandemic. Alternatives and strategies were also proposed for resources optimization. Final protocol resulted from a multidisciplinary team work (Hospital Pharmacy Service team and Emergency Service workers). It was finally revised and approved by the Medical and Quality Direction.
How was it done?
1)A systematic bibliographic review was made, for articles selection on the placement / removal of PPE. Technical specifications of the available MD and the sanitary recommendations of the competent organitations were reviewed.
2)Establishment of PPE components, and the order of placement and removal:
a. PPE placement:1-Wash hands (WH).2-Place shims.3-WH.4-Put on the first pair of gloves.5-Put on FFP2 mask.6-Wear waterproof protective overalls from the feet.7-Place garbage bags on feet and adjust them on legs.8-Wash gloves with a hydroalcoholic solution (HS).9-Put on second pair of gloves.10-Put on a standard/reinforced surgical gown.11-Wash HS.12-Put on surgical mask.13-Put on disposable gown.14-Put on third pair of gloves.15-Put on face protection screen. 16-Put on surgical cap and fit it over a face shield.
b. PPE removal: a) Before leaving the isolation room: 1-Remove and discard bags from both feet.2-Remove and discard disposable gown.3-Remove and discard the outermost gloves. b) Outside the isolation room: 1-Wash HS.2-Remove surgical cap and screen (reserve screen).3-Remove and discard surgical mask.4-Wash HS.5-Remove the standard/reinforced surgical gown and reserve it.6-Remove second pair of gloves.7-Wash HS.c) Before entering the clean area:1-Remove shoes.2-Remove third pair of gloves.d)Go to the clean area:1-Disinfect footwear.2-Wash HS.3-Remove monkey and if necessary reserve it. 4-Wash HS.5-Remove FFP2 mask and reserve it if necessary.6-WH.
c. A team member read and check all steps carried out during the all steps procedure.
What has been achieved?
The protocol was followed by 54 (100%) workers. Since its implantation, on March 16 th, only the 3,7% (n=2) of workers were infected by SARS-CoV-2.
What next?
The protocol is under constant revision and modification to adapt it to the available MD in every moment.