Hospital probe shows PPE issues

Nurses at Waitakere Hospital dealing with Covid-19 patients were forced to change their protective gear up to eight times a shift, one of a suite of issues that may have led to staff catching the virus.

A report released yesterday also found “usability” issues with the personal protective wear (PPE).

The Waitemata¯ District Health Board has apologised to the staff — seven now have the virus — who were caring for patients from St Margaret’s rest home.

The report said the patients transferred to the hospital in the middle of an “evolving and intense” situation. Three of those patients died.

The report — with independent panel members including the chief nurse and midwifery officer at Waikato DHB and a NZ Nurses’ Organisation representative — set out the chain of events that led to three nurses becoming infected.

It found the nursing staff provided exemplary care to the six patients on the ward. But the decision to transfer the residents was made quickly and staff had a short time to plan.

The patients required full nursing care and deteriorated quickly, meaning nurses spent long periods of time at their bedsides.

Full PPE was available, but there were problems with usability, which was stressful for staff. And there was no way to communicate with staff outside the patients’ rooms, which increased the frequency of donning and doffing PPE.

“It is well recognised that donning and doffing PPE, particularly doffing, is high risk for viral transmission.”

The report would be used to improve how similar situations were managed in future, deputy chief executive Dr Andrew Brant said. “We are deeply saddened that these nurses became infected with Covid.

“They were being selfless in caring for others in the middle of a difficult, evolving and intense situation.”