Health Ministry has released additional guidelines on rational use of Personal Protective Equipment. The guidelines are for health care workers and others working in Non COVID hospitals and Non COVID treatment areas of a hospital which has a COVID block. The PPEs are to be used based on the risk profile of the health care worker.
Healthcare workers on the help desk, doctors’ chamber, pharmacy counter and sanitary staff are mild risk categories. They have been recommended triple-layer medical mask and latex examination gloves.
Dental, ENT doctors and Ophthalmology doctors fall under moderate risk category and have been advised N 95 masks, goggles, nitrile examination gloves and face shield.
While using PPE, standard precaution is to be followed at all times. PPEs are not the alternative to basic preventive public health measures such as hand hygiene and respiratory etiquettes which must be followed at all times. Healthcare workers have been asked to always follow the laid down protocol for disposing of PPEs.
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