The controversy around equipment has been reignited after Public Health England (PHE) reversed its guidance.
Official NHS guidelines say disposable plastic aprons must be worn"when providing direct patient care" and decontamination.
But the new advice indicates"disposable fluid-repellent coveralls or long-sleeved gowns" are no longer mandatory for all procedures involvingpatients, saying only that they must be used when a disposable apron provides"inadequate" cover. But whereas previous recommendations said the full-length gowns should be discarded after each patient had been treated, new advice refers to"single session use in certain circumstances" - which allows for them to be worn throughout a shift providing they are not damaged or soiled.
While the basic required standard for respirators is"filtering face piece class 3" , those that do not meet that standard should"be worn with a full face shield if blood or body fluid splashing is anticipated."Masks are expected to meet the same criteria to ensure they fit the wearer as respirators. Designed to prevent respiratory droplets reaching the mouth and nose, they are also meant to be disposed of after each patient or shift.
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