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Personal protective equipment

 

This section contains information on correct PPE use, fit testing and how to order more PPE.

As of 16 October 2023 it is optional for our staff, patients and visitors to wear masks in clinical areas at our sites. Masks will still be provided at the entrances to ward areas for those who wish to wear one.

Staff, patients and visitors are still encouraged to wear masks in:

  • high risk areas such as haematology wards and transplant wards
  • When interacting with patients with, or suspected of having, COVID-19. Please follow the PPE guidelines as per PRC05409 or respiratory infections as per PRC00696.

Staff providing care to patients with enhanced respiratory precautions (ERP) must continue to wear a N95 mask.

Examples:

If there is a patient requiring ERP in a single room, the door should be shut and those staff caring for the patient to wear a N95 mask. Staff in other areas on the ward can wear surgical masks for direct patient care. If the door is unable to remain shut for any reason, all staff working in the area must continue to wear N95 masks.

Staff caring for a patient with an acute respiratory illness should wear an N95 while awaiting a diagnosis.

  • All staff caring for COVID-10 patients, gowns and gloves are to be worn in addition to an N95 mask and protective eyewear for incidental COVID-19 patients or other patients who are on enhanced respiratory precautions. PPE to be changed on exiting the room (If cluster care is undertaken then extended mask and eye protection may occur as outlined in the COVID-19 procedure 5409). 

PPE supplies – and ordering more

Imprest locations at RAH, TQEH, Hampstead and Glenside have PPE supplies.

SA Dental will communicate directly with their workforce on PPE supplies.

Masks and other PPE can be ordered through ORACLE. More information including ordering codes is available via this fact sheet.

Supporting organisations or partners (such as Downer or ISS) and visitors are to be provided with masks should they need one.

Staff and visitors are welcome to take a clean mask to wear home should it be required, however are asked to only take one each.

Who needs to wear a mask?

It is optional for staff, visitors and patients to wear a mask in public areas at our sites, and in most of our clinical areas. 

Staff providing care to patients with enhanced respiratory precautions (ERP) must continue to wear a N95 mask

What kind of mask do I need to wear?

Staff providing care to patients with enhanced respiratory precautions (ERP) must continue to wear a N95 mask

Visitors may be required to wear extra PPE such as a fit checked D95 and long sleeved gown under certain circumstances such as if an exemption is approved for compassionate visit for a patient with COVID-19. Please refer to visitor guidelines.

Visitors to a CALHN site must be offered a health service supplied disposable surgical mask to wear.

Masks should be changed at least every four hours, or if it is compromised (for example damp, damaged or exiting a red zone).


Safe mask donning and doffing

Please follow the following steps for safe donning and doffing.

Donning

  • Wash your hands before putting on the mask either with an alcohol hand rub or soap and water.
  • Make sure it covers your nose and mouth and fits snugly under your chin, over the bridge of your nose and against the sides of your face. If an N95 mask is donned, perform a fit check.
  • Do not touch the front of the mask while wearing it. If you do touch the mask, wash or sanitise your hands immediately.

Doffing

  • To remove the mask wash or sanitise your hands first.
  • Carefully remove your mask by grasping the ear loops or untying the ties.
  • Discard the mask straight into the waste bin. Do not pull the mask and leave it hanging around your neck or chin or on top of your head. It’s covered in germs!
  • Wash or sanitise your hands after removing the mask.

Extra resources

Cleaning and caring for PPE

Fit testing

If you have been fit tested to a Detmold mask, it is imperative that you select a Detmold mask over another brand. Please remember the fit clip is required to be worn with the Detmold mask.

If you are not yet fit tested, please do this immediately. You can book a fit test at: https://calhn.maskfittest.sa.gov.au/

As a reminder, there is a need to be clean shaven wherever the respirator comes into contact with the face. Facial hair (even very short stubble) interferes with the seal of the respirator to your face, thereby reducing its efficiency to provide protection. A moustache that does not interfere with the seal of the respirator is acceptable.

Infection Prevention and Control Unit

  • Royal Adelaide Hospital, telephone 7074 2810
  • The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, telephone 8222 7588

Clinical Worker Health Service

  • Royal Adelaide Hospital, telephone 70742452
  • The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, telephone 8222 7642

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