Rational use PPE at hospital reception, clinics, doctors chambers, ICU, OT: Health Ministry releases guidelines for NON-COVID centres

New Delhi: As the government is stressing on opening Non-Covid Hospitals for patients, the Union Health Ministry on Friday released guidelines on the rational use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by health functionaries working in non-Covid hospitals and treatment areas.

This guideline is for health care workers and others working in Non COVID hospitals and NonCOVID treatment areas of a hospital which has a COVID block. These guidelines are in continuation of guidelines issued previously on 'Rational use of Personal Protective Equipment' (https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidelinesonrationaluseofPersonalProtectiveEquipment.pdf). This guideline uses "settings" approach to guide on the type of personal protective equipment to be used in different settings

The ministry stated that health personnel working in a high-risk area, such as the emergency department or those managing patients with severe acute respiratory infection in the ambulance, should garb themselves in the full complement of PPE.

The full complement of PPE includes N-95 mask, coveralls, goggles, nitrile examination gloves and shoe cover.

Besides this, the ministry said that health functionaries working in moderate risk-environment, such as dental chamber, check-up clinic, ICU, labour room, operation theatre, lab, should wear triple layer medical mask, face shield, sterile latex gloves and goggles.

Those working in the mild risk area of the hospital such as help desk, doctor chamber, pharmacy counter, ward room, blood bank, radio diagnosis have been advised to put on triple layer medical masks and latex examination gloves. Staff working in low risk areas should just wear masks.

In addition to this, the ministry has also advised them to take standard precautions, not use PPEs as alternative to basic preventive public health and follow respiratory etiquette.

"Always follow the laid down protocol for disposing off PPEs as detailed in infection prevention and control guidelines available on the website of MoHFW. In addition, patients and their attendants are encouraged to put on face covers," the guidelines stated.

Check out the full guidelines below:-