Prioritising the wellbeing and safety of our people
Ensuring the safety of staff and keeping them informed during the COVID-19 emergency continued to be a priority for EMHS during 2021-22.
Hoods help keep staff COVID safe
At AKG and RPBG, innovative Australian-designed contraptions known as medihoods were used to enhance the protection of staff caring for patients with — or suspected of having — COVID.
The hoods prevent transmission of aerosolised droplets by enclosing the upper part of the patient’s body in a transparent tent-like structure, creating a physical barrier between the patient and healthcare staff. The units also incorporate a powerful HEPA fan-filter that draws the patient’s expired air out of the hood and scrubs it of more than 99% of particulate matter, further reducing transmission risk.
AKG Director of Clinical Services Dr Alison Parr described the retractable hoods as lightweight and easy to open.
“While they enhance patient and staff safety, they are also comfortable for patients,” she said.
“It is a bonus that the medihoods will have a life beyond COVID, because they can also be used on patients with other transmissible illnesses.”
Supporting staff in a COVID environment
During 2021-22, EMHS developed a Staff Wellbeing During COVID strategy to support health and wellbeing during the pandemic surge period. The strategy included a COVID vaccination program, staff wellbeing, staffing arrangements, face mask fit testing, and constant staff updates. Our Wellbeing Strategy was packed full of ideas and tools to support staff and managers during this period of uncertainty and beyond. By keeping our staff safe and informed, we were able to focus our attention on continuing to deliver amazing care to our patients.
27,422 fit tests for particulate filter respirator (PFR) masks were conducted on more than 12,000 people, including staff, volunteers, students and contractors. 99.7% of people achieved a fit with at least one PFR, ensuring everyone in the workplace had access to suitable and appropriately fitted personal protective equipment (PPE).
HEPAs help our hospitals breathe easier
Staff were able to breathe a little easier in October 2021, when EMHS took delivery of its first consignment of high-powered HEPA air filtration units. These units had been deployed extensively in the eastern states and in WA’s own state-run quarantine hotels.
AKG consultant microbiologist Dr David New said having a unit in the room of a COVID-19 patient reduced the level of virus in the room and in turn the level of virus that could escape from that room every time somebody entered or left it.
“If you think of the COVID patient as a campfire, every time you open or close the door — such as when you enter and leave the room — some of the smoke will inevitably escape into the corridors outside the room,” he explained.
“So, having these filters will help us reduce the infection risk to staff and other patients.”
Dr New stressed that while the filters did not replace the need for vaccination or adherence to good handhygiene and PPE practices, they did provide an added layer of protection against COVID.
The filters remove virus particles from the air and are capable of more than 25-30 air changes an hour (depending on the size of the room). This is superior to the 10 air changes an hour, recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.
Dr New said the filters have a life beyond COVID because they could also be used to reduce other respiratory pathogens such as the influenza virus.
During 2021-22, EMHS procured more than 300 units, which have been in almost constant use since arriving.
