The purpose of these COVID-19 Interim Guidelines is to provide short-term advice to manage the risks associated with COVID-19 in the community and to protect patients and St John WA staff from potential exposure whilst maintaining the highest possible standards of clinical care to the community of Western Australia.
FRONT LINE STAFF SAFETY IS OUR PRIMARY CONCERN.
All Clinical Practice Guidelines not addressed in this document remain unchanged and still apply in full. Staff should ensure that they stay up to date with the latest information regarding COVID-19 on Connect.
This interim guideline supersedes all other PPE guidelines or related PPE documents from 12/07/2021
Changes
For Perth and Peel regions only
- Risk assess need for PPE as per Standard and Transmission-based precautions
- Follow Government directives for situations where it is mandatory to wear a facemask (e.g. airports)
Please note:
- NO CHANGE to PPE requirements for suspected/confirmed COVID-19 cases, high risk contacts or high risk locations:
- P2/N95 respirator, eye protection, coverall/gown and gloves
P2/N95 respirator, eye protection, coverall or gown and gloves must be worn if you are within 1.5 metres of patients who meet the following criteria:
- All patients who are suspected/confirmed COVID-19 (refer to clinical and epidemiological criteria)
- All patients who are currently in a quarantine hotel or other designated quarantine facility (including asymptomatic individuals)
- All patients who are in self-quarantine at a residential address (including asymptomatic individuals)
- All patients aboard any international ships or flights (including both air and maritime crew)
- All patients who require droplet/airborne precautions
AND/OR in the 14 days prior (high risk contacts):
- Had contact with a confirmed case
- Had international travel
- Have been in a setting where there is a COVID-19 case
- Have been in areas with recent local transmission of SARS-CoV-2
P2/N95 respirator, eye protection, coverall or gown and gloves must be worn if entering the following high risk locations:
- Quarantine hotel or other designated quarantine facility
- Residence that is being used by a person who is in self-quarantine
- International flight or vessel
PPE required when driving:
- P2/N95 respirator to be worn when driving.
- Prior to entering the front of the vehicle, gloves and gown must be removed, and hand hygiene performed. Continue to wear your P2/N95 respirator when driving. When at the destination, don clean gown, eye protection and gloves before assisting with patient.
Signs and symptoms of COVID-19
Clinical evidence:
- Fever ≥37.5⁰C or recent history of fever (e.g. night sweats, chills)
- Acute respiratory infection (e.g. cough, shortness of breath, sore throat)
- Acute loss of smell or taste
Epidemiological evidence:
- Close contact (refer to Close contacts) with a confirmed case
- International travel
- Workers supporting designated COVID-19 quarantine and isolation services
- International border staff
- Air and maritime crew
- Health, aged or residential care workers and staff with potential COVID-19 patient contact
- People who have been in a setting where there is a COVID-19 case
- People who have been in areas with recent local transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
A fit check must be performed prior to undertaking any clinical activity in which a P2/N95 respirator is required.
A fit check ensure that the respirator is sealed over the bridge of the nose and mouth and that there are no gaps in the seal between the respirator and the face:
- Gently inhale. When you breathe in the respirator should draw in slightly toward the face and collapse.
- When exhaling the respirator should fill up with air. It is important at this stage to check there is no air leakage around the edges of the respirator. Continue adjusting the seal of the respirator if needed.
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