New: Health workers are not required to wear tight protective gear against the Covid-19 epidemic

These are new points in the decision guiding the selection and use of personal protective equipment in the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic, which has just been issued by the Ministry of Health.

Illustrations

Accordingly, personal protective equipment includes medical gloves, medical masks (single-use), high filtering efficiency masks (referred to as N95 masks), gowns, face shields or goggles. household.

There are 3 types of capes:

– Single use gown.

– Reusable gowns: For units with limited resources, medical staff when performing examinations, providing care or performing technical procedures are not at risk of splashing blood or body fluids of the patient. Covid-19 to the body (eg, major vascular interventions, extensive wound care, obstetric procedures…) can use gowns made from washable and disinfecting materials such as polyester or polyester-cotton fabrics and must be disinfected before reuse in accordance with regulations.

– Long-sleeved gown designed to cover the entire body from the neck to the knees, the collar must cover at least the sternum, and have a tie or button to fix the shirt behind the back.

Previously, there were many suggestions that the sampling force should not necessarily wear tight protective clothing, but mainly N95 masks, face shields, gloves… The reason is because of the harsh weather, hot sun. For a long time, medical staff, especially medical forces performing outdoor tasks, must wear protective clothing in accordance with epidemic prevention regulations, have encountered many difficulties and hardships when going to work. mission. Many cases were dehydrated, exhausted, and stunned.

According to this new guideline, only the minimum personal protective equipment should be used according to the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2.

For example, at a medical facility with a low risk of infection such as not coming into contact with Covid-19 patients (administrative areas, offices, etc.) just use a medical mask. Similarly, in clinical and subclinical areas without Covid-19 patients, they only need to use medical masks, medical gloves can be used or not depending on the specific situation.

Medical staff working in the reception area of ​​the hospital also only need to use a medical mask, with or without a face covering.

People who take respiratory samples or perform rapid antigen tests are classified as very high-risk, so they must use N95 masks, medical gloves, gowns and face shields.

This guide also specifies the steps for putting on and taking off personal protective equipment.

Wear personal protective equipment

Before wearing personal protective equipment, it is necessary to check the quantity, type and size suitable for the wearer; check the quality (according to the prescribed standards, not torn, punctured, expired…), then take the following steps in turn:

Step 1: Sanitize your hands.

Step 2: Wear an anti-epidemic gown.

Step 3: Sanitize your hands.

Step 4: Wear a mask according to the situation (medical mask or N95).

Step 5: Wear goggles or face shield.

Step 6: Wear gloves as indicated.

Procedure to remove personal protective equipment

Step 1: Remove gloves. When unrolling the inside of the glove, place it in a waste container.

Step 2: Sanitize your hands.

Step 3: Undo the ties/buttons and remove the gown, roll it up so that the inside of the gown is turned out, and dispose of it in the waste bin.

Step 4: Sanitize your hands.

Step 5: Remove face shield or goggles.

Step 6: Sanitize your hands.

Step 7: Remove the mask (hold the strap behind the head or behind the ear).

Step 8: Sanitize your hands.

N. Huyen