Health care workers, also simply called HCWs, often risk contracting disease and infections owing to some of the tasks they are required to perform – for this reason they need to use personal protective equipment.
HCW personal protective equipment
Hospitals are places where many people, all with different needs, tasks and characteristics are found. Being a place where one can come into close contact with very dangerous chemicals, radiation and exposure to pathogens, it is essential to carry out risk assessments. In fact, regular risk assessments are required by law and is the responsibility of either the employer or top management (in the case of public facilities), in order to provide employees with devices that are approved, applicable and suitable for the purpose intended.
Collective protection devices are all those devices which are instituted for the prevention of basic risks. Among these is “signposting”, i.e. the use of signposts to indicate escape routes in case of fires or other hazardous events, as well as sites where there is potential danger of exposure to radiation, and so on. Another example of collective protection devices are fire extinguishers which need to be available at specific points inside the premises and need to be periodically checked and kept efficient at all times.
Collective protection devices in hospitals need to ensure that workers are not exposed to possible pathogen contamination, for example, by implementing efficient hospital waste disposal systems as prescribed by current legislation and/or setting up proper ventilation systems and feasible engineering controls in order to control air contaminants and have clean air available.
What respiratory protective devices are to be used by healthcare workers in hospitals
The institution of collective protection devices in hospitals is not always sufficient to provide suitable protection to hospital workers. Therefore, current regulations require employers to provide workers with appropriate PPE for the purpose intended. There are many different types and models of personal protective devices available on the market but those used in hospitals in Europe are to be CE marked. Current regulations specify that workers are to be provided with suitable protective clothing which includes gloves, ear protectors, overalls and shoe covers. Furthermore, if there is a risk of being exposed to X-rays, appropriate protective gowns also need to be provided. Among all hospital staff, the healthcare worker is the one who tends to come into direct contact with hospital patients more often than other staff members as one of their main tasks is to help patients with their personal hygiene. If, during the course of their duties, healthcare workers, come into contact with harmful substances, for example when they accompany patients to areas where there is a risk of exposure to chemical or pathogenic agents, they are also to be provided with appropriate respiratory protective devices (RPD) for the protection of the respiratory tract and mucous membranes. In this case, air purifying respirators which provide workers with filtered air, decontaminated from impurities and irritants.
Generally, these respirators are equipped with face pieces connected to a filtered blower unit powered by a rechargeable battery. Slight positive pressure builds-up inside the facepiece facilitating visor demisting and comfortable breathing even during strenuous work sessions. Exhaled and excess air is expelled through exhalation valves.
If there is a risk of eyes damage as well, appropriate eye protection or goggles also need to be provided.
Jun 25 2018
Collective protection devices in hospitals: which to use
HCW personal protective equipment
Hospitals are places where many people, all with different needs, tasks and characteristics are found. Being a place where one can come into close contact with very dangerous chemicals, radiation and exposure to pathogens, it is essential to carry out risk assessments. In fact, regular risk assessments are required by law and is the responsibility of either the employer or top management (in the case of public facilities), in order to provide employees with devices that are approved, applicable and suitable for the purpose intended.
Collective protection devices are all those devices which are instituted for the prevention of basic risks. Among these is “signposting”, i.e. the use of signposts to indicate escape routes in case of fires or other hazardous events, as well as sites where there is potential danger of exposure to radiation, and so on. Another example of collective protection devices are fire extinguishers which need to be available at specific points inside the premises and need to be periodically checked and kept efficient at all times.
Collective protection devices in hospitals need to ensure that workers are not exposed to possible pathogen contamination, for example, by implementing efficient hospital waste disposal systems as prescribed by current legislation and/or setting up proper ventilation systems and feasible engineering controls in order to control air contaminants and have clean air available.
What respiratory protective devices are to be used by healthcare workers in hospitals
The institution of collective protection devices in hospitals is not always sufficient to provide suitable protection to hospital workers. Therefore, current regulations require employers to provide workers with appropriate PPE for the purpose intended. There are many different types and models of personal protective devices available on the market but those used in hospitals in Europe are to be CE marked. Current regulations specify that workers are to be provided with suitable protective clothing which includes gloves, ear protectors, overalls and shoe covers. Furthermore, if there is a risk of being exposed to X-rays, appropriate protective gowns also need to be provided. Among all hospital staff, the healthcare worker is the one who tends to come into direct contact with hospital patients more often than other staff members as one of their main tasks is to help patients with their personal hygiene. If, during the course of their duties, healthcare workers, come into contact with harmful substances, for example when they accompany patients to areas where there is a risk of exposure to chemical or pathogenic agents, they are also to be provided with appropriate respiratory protective devices (RPD) for the protection of the respiratory tract and mucous membranes. In this case, air purifying respirators which provide workers with filtered air, decontaminated from impurities and irritants.
Generally, these respirators are equipped with face pieces connected to a filtered blower unit powered by a rechargeable battery. Slight positive pressure builds-up inside the facepiece facilitating visor demisting and comfortable breathing even during strenuous work sessions. Exhaled and excess air is expelled through exhalation valves.
If there is a risk of eyes damage as well, appropriate eye protection or goggles also need to be provided.
By Kasco Srl • Blog •