Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

1. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Other PPE Equipment Requirements WHO Western Pacific Regional Office April 17, 2003

2. Personal Protective Equipment for SARS

5. Infection Control Practice “You can minimise YOUR risk of catching SARS by following infection control procedures including the use of other PPE including Goggles, Gowns, Gloves, Caps and Overshoes.”

6. Standard Precautions(Respiratory Precautions) Designed to reduce the risk for occupational exposure to SARS infection from both recognizedand unrecognized sources of infection

7. Patient: Respiratory secretions Blood Body fluids including excreta Skin lesions Staff Visitors Health Care Staff: Respiratory secretions Blood Body fluids including excreta Mucous membranes Skin lesions Sharps Visitors Exposure Risks

8. Principles for Using PPE Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used to protect health care workers by preventing potentially infectious microorganisms from : • Contaminating their hands, eyes and clothing and • Being transmitted to other patients and staff.

9. Principles for Using PPE • PPE reduces but does not completely eliminate the possibility of infection • PPE is only effective if used correctly • The use of PPE does not replace basic hygiene measures such as hand washing – hand washing is still essential to prevent transmission of infection.

10. Principles for Using Goggles, Gowns, Gloves, Caps and Overshoes Goggles, gowns, gloves, caps and overshoes are used to protect health care workers, by preventing potentially infectious microorganisms from : • Contaminating their eyes, clothing, hands, hair and shoes and • Being transmitted to other patients and staff.

11. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Goggles Gown Gloves Cap Shoe covers

12. Goggles • Assign one pair to each worker at the beginning of a shift • Wear goggles in room with SARS patients • Leave in the container in the anteroom at the end of the shift to be cleaned and disinfected

13. Goggles You should use goggles to cover all of the eye area.

14. Gowns • Long sleeved gowns must be worn when in direct contact with the patient • Wear gown at all times in the patient’s room • Gowns must be removed before leaving the patient’s room or dedicated anteroom • Remove used gowns as soon as possible particularly when grossly contaminated

15. Disposable Gowns Use a new gown for each patient contact. Discard immediately if visibly contaminated. Reusable Gowns If necessary, gowns may be reused during one shift for the same patient, e.g. when short of supplies. Discard immediately if visibly contaminated. Hang gown with outside facing in when not in use. Discard at the end of the shift. Gowns Gowns should be worn for every patient contact and ideally a new gown worn for each patient contact

16. Before all patient contact Before all cleaning Before handling soiled linen & waste Gloves

17. Gloves • Remove after contact with patients or lab specimens • Do not wear gloves outside of the patient’s room / anteroom • Do not re-use gloves • Wash hands after removing your gloves

18. Plastic Disposable Aprons • Plastic disposable aprons must be worn whenever there is a likelihood of other PPE such as gowns becoming wet. • They are worn to reduce the risk of breakthrough and contamination of clothing worn underneath the PPE. • They must be disposed of after use.

19. Plastic Disposable Aprons Aprons must be worn when : • Performing patient care activities where soiling or increased moisture is likely • Cleaning & disinfecting the patient environment • Cleaning & disinfecting medical; other patient care equipment • Laundering used linen • Cleaning and disinfecting the cleaning equipment

20. Caps Caps are worn to protect the hair from aerosols that may otherwise lodge on the hair and be transferred to other parts of the health care worker such as the face or clothing by the hands or onto inanimate objects.

21. Overshoes Overshoes are worn to protect the health care worker’s shoes and feet from being splashed by spills such as blood or other body fluids or aerosols

22. Key Points • The use of goggles, disposable gowns, gloves, caps and overshoes for all patient contact is designed to protect both the health care worker and the patient. • It also protects other patients, staff and visitors from potentially infectious microorganisms.

23. Can You Now Answer These Questions? • What personal protective equipment (PPE) has been recommended for use with SARS patients? Why? • What does this PPE consist of? • How should you use this PPE? • Describe how you should put on, and remove, this PPE? Why is this important?

24. Can You Now Answer These Questions? • How often should you change this PPE? Why? • What should you do with the goggles once you have removed them? Why? • How should you dispose of this PPE? Why? • What should you do once you have removed your gloves? Why?

25. Take Home Messages • Wear goggles, gowns, gloves, caps and overshoes for all contact with SARS patients. • Ensure goggles cover the entire eye area. • All visitors must also wear these PPE items. • Dispose of these items in the appropriate container for disposal or cleaning and disinfecting.

26. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Other PPE Equipment Requirements We hope YOU have learnt about the use of goggles, gowns, gloves, caps and overshoes, their use in caring for SARS patients and their role in the prevention of transmission and control of SARS. Thank you for listening.