The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has found through a national, online survey of hospitals and healthcare facilities that many have once again implemented personal protective equipment (PPE) crisis standards of care. Access to PPE crisis standards of care is the practice of reusing or extending the life of PPE that was intended for single use.
The national online survey was conducted October 22-November 5, 2020. Of the 1,083 infection preventionists (IPs) who responded to the survey, it was found that PPE crisis standards of care have been implemented at healthcare facilities as follows: 73% for respirators, 68.7% for masks, and 75.8% for face shields or eye protection. For those that reuse respirators 75.9% of those respondents reuse their respirator either five times or as many times as possible before getting a new respirator. For those that reuse masks, 73.6% of the respondents allow their staff to reuse their masks either five times or as many times as possible before getting a new mask.
There has also been an increase in healthcare-associated infections since the start of the pandemic. The respondents of the online survey report an increase in central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABI), catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAPs) or ventilator-associated events (VAE’s).
Issue
As the spread of COVID-19 continues and the flu season is upon us, it is imperative to keep staff and residents safe. Monitor the facility’s stock of PPE frequently, and ensure it is used per manufacturer’s directions unless there is a true shortage of PPE supplies.
Discussion
- Review policies and procedures for infection control and emergency preparedness. Additionally, evaluate the amount of PPE available and determine when it would be appropriate to implement PPE crisis standards of care.
- Train all staff on the proper usage of PPE. If PPE crisis standards of care are required due to a low supply of PPE, train staff on the PPE crisis standards of care policy and procedure. Document all trainings and file in employee’s education files.
- Periodically audit to ensure that the facility has adequate PPE available and that staff are following protocols for the use of PPE. Ensure that crisis standards of care are only implemented when PPE is unable to be obtained in adequate amounts.
