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I went on annual leave just as the covid shit hit the fan. The day before I left we had donning and doffing training on a suspected case in an isolation room.
Full isolation, full ppe. Sample swabs were double bagged (bags sanitised, then put in a screwtop container, then a box.
Full isolation, full ppe. Sample swabs were double bagged (bags sanitised, then put in a screwtop container, then a box.
The box was then sealed and picked up by some elite healthcare courier dude who had a radio and a phone (because you can tell how important someone is if they have a radio, but a phone too?! Practically special forces(!)).
That was the middle of March.
That was the middle of March.
I returned to work in the last week of March. While all suspected covid cases were redirected to a dedicated covid area, we were still bringing in patients with a variety of symptoms.
There was not a single N95/FFP3 mask in our unit when I started my night shift.
There was not a single N95/FFP3 mask in our unit when I started my night shift.
I was told that we only use FFP3 with confirmed cases, or in aerosol generating procedures so we didn't need them.
So I got in touch with the peeps in charge over night, all I said was that we don't have a single FFP3 mask here, and fair does we were supplied with 3 boxes.
So I got in touch with the peeps in charge over night, all I said was that we don't have a single FFP3 mask here, and fair does we were supplied with 3 boxes.
The WHO guidelines do minimise recommended ppe. But we needed the FFP3 because performing CPR is an "aerosol generating procedure". But that's not what this thread is about. What I said next to the person responsible was.
I said:
"Look, this is serious shit (yes, I do swear a lot) and we don't know who is coming through the door.
We need to be treating everyone like they're infected because nearly 30% of casualties of this are healthcare workers.
Some of our colleagues are going to die."
"Look, this is serious shit (yes, I do swear a lot) and we don't know who is coming through the door.
We need to be treating everyone like they're infected because nearly 30% of casualties of this are healthcare workers.
Some of our colleagues are going to die."
Yesterday a healthcare support worker from one of the wards here, with decades of experience, died after being on a ventilator due to COVID19.
I wish my warning hadn't been so prescient, or come true so soon.
People need to take this shit seriously.
We need ppe. At all times.
I wish my warning hadn't been so prescient, or come true so soon.
People need to take this shit seriously.
We need ppe. At all times.
