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Frequently asked questions for Trust staff
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Coronavirus
This is dependent on the environmental conditions and the material that the surface is manufactured from. Generally, it is indicated that the virus remains active for approximately 72 hours on hard surfaces but regular hand washing and cleaning will mitigate the risks.
Follow the Covid-19 guidance on handling and use of service users’ own medication (PODS) brought from home into hospital available on the Trust coronavirus intranet pages.
Bedrooms are more likely to contain a high viral load as service users are spending lots of time in there sleeping or isolating and if they have the virus, this is where it is most likely being shed. PPE (mask, gloves and apron) should be worn when undertaking tasks such as changing the bedding, cleaning the room or undertaking a search of the bedroom. A brief intervention such as taking in a drink, checking to see if the service user is ok, or passing over medication, does not require PPE to be worn.
The infection prevention and control team are working with estates and ward managers to allocate changing facilities on wards and units. In the interim, please use any available room other than the dirty utility which is not being used for service users.
Yes as long as the PPE guidance is followed.
There is a requirement to change back into travelling clothes.
PPE should be changed. However, clothing changes are not required if entering directly into another Trust building without leaving the grounds.
Yes, clothing changes are required.
Moving between wards would be classed as the end of a session and therefore new PPE should be applied if social distancing of 2 metres is not possible or when the individual is required to be within 2 metres of any service users.
There are donning and doffing posters and videos available on the Trust’s coronavirus intranet pages. The infection prevention and control team are also available to advise on this where required. Please contact them on 01226 644343 with any questions.
Follow the standard operating procedure for clothing during Covid-19. Work clothing should be washed at 60 degrees centigrade.