What personal protective equipment can be worn when battling invisible illnesses?
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When a patient is admitted to intensive care with an infectious disease, precautions need to be taken to stop this single case spreading. As part of their duty of care, medical staff need to be hands-on to treat patients, but how do you maintain this duty when a simple touch could make you just as critically ill?
Patients who are known to be infectious are often put in isolation. This is a room with all the equipment of the beds in the main ward, but with surrounding walls keeping the infection from spreading. Signs on the door inform staff of the patient’s condition, and before entering they are required to wear protective equipment so that they can limit the risk of endangering their own lives as they save others. In cases of a pandemic like the coronavirus, full wards can be dedicated to one common disease.
Ventilator Nose clip Surgical mask
This fluid-resistant material is hooked onto the ears to keep it in place, covering the nose and mouth. They catch any bacteria or viruses found in liquid droplets, but do not work effectively against airborne microorganisms as these particles are much smaller. Helping them to breathe, air flows through tubes into their airways. These can be extremely fast puffs which creates a scary sight for the parents as their baby’s body moves violently. However, these fast pumps help make sure the tiny air passages in their lungs stay open.
Soft layer Filter layer Outer layer Long-sleeved gown
Disposable full-length gowns catch any sprays and spillages. Upon leaving the ward they are removed, leaving the clothes underneath unscathed and clean. A piece of aluminium bends to fit the face mask around the bridge of the nose. This prevents any gaps between the mask and the face. For comfort this layer is soft, absorbing any sweat and spit released during long working hours. As the middle material, this sheet is a two-way barrier against germs. Stopping tiny particles from travelling through the mask both ways, the dense material works to trap germs. The outer layer is hydrophobic, meaning it repels water. As the first layer of defence, it is instant protection from any fluids that come into contact with the face.
Hairnet
This piece of equipment prevents hair from contamination, as well as keeping it compact. If hair is loose it increases the likelihood of face-touching.
Full-face shield
Providing a better coverage of the face than nose and mouth masks, these plastic coverings are attached using an adjustable band around the head. This shields the face from any airborne disease.
Gloves
Hands are often most responsible for carrying and spreading disease. Gloves are an essential when examining infected patients and are frequently binned and replaced.