Effective for direct-care employees, Registration, Volunteers, and Screeners.
As the community spread of COVID-19 becomes prevalent, the safety of our care teams is at the forefront. As an added safety measure, N95 masks and face shields or goggles are highly recommended for patient-facing employees when caring for all patients.
On the designated COVID-19 units the required PPE includes an N95 mask or PAPR, face shield or goggles, gown, and gloves when entering a patient room or during transport. Staff may wear a regular isolation mask with a face shield or goggles when in common areas such as the nurses’ station.
Per previous IC communications, staff in the emergency departments and On-Demand clinics are required to wear N95 masks along with face shields when in patient rooms or within 6 feet of any patients in the halls. When socially distanced, a regular isolation mask with face shield or goggles may be worn.
Employees who have not yet been fit tested must wear a PAPR when caring for a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patient. See below for instructions on fit testing.
How to obtain goggles or face shields for your departments
- Leader: Order supply based on average number of employees for both a day and a night shift, plus an additional 5 more.
- This number is not your total number of employees, but rather how many employees you have scheduled in a 24-hour period plus 5.
- Example: You have a total of 50 employees. You schedule on average 10 employees for a day shift and 8 employees for a night shift. Therefore, you would order 18+5 extra for a total of 23. The 23 goggles can be cleaned and reused each shift between employees.
Guidelines and best practices
- Eyeglasses do not replace face shields. Face shields should be worn over regular eyeglasses for added protection.
- Masks are still required with a face shield.
- Face shields are to be used for the duration of the shift.
- Face shields are reusable, and not to be discarded unless damaged.
- Face shields will be returned at the end of the shift for reuse.
- Clean your face shield using Oxivir Tb wipes or hospital-approved disinfectant spray.
- Clean your hands before and after touching your face shield.
- Clean your face shield at the beginning of every shift, and anytime you put on your face shield.
N95s
Prior to wearing an N95 you must be fit tested to determine which brand and size will provide the best level of protection for you. For individuals needing to be fit tested:
- Complete the OSHA Respirator Medical Questionnaire form.
- Email completed form to your campus Employee Health Office.
- Once you have been cleared for fit testing, contact your Employee Health Office to schedule an appointment.