Coronavirus NSW: Masks mandatory in hospitals - NEWS.com.au

Masks are now mandatory for visitors and patient-facing staff in every hospital across NSW as coronavirus cases in the state continue to rise.

A notice shared to staff within South Eastern Sydney Local Health District on Friday morning said the change was in response to “concern about local transmission in NSW” and was intended to ensure staff safety.

The changes will also impact visitor numbers, with only one visitor per patient allowed for most cases. Previously, patients in palliative care have been allowed up to two.

“All staff across NSW Health are now required to wear a surgical mask when they are within 1.5m of a patient,” the notice states.

“Within our District, the risk of COVID-19 remains low, with only one locally acquired case without an identified source found within the last month. However, we are cautious in light of the recent NSW trend and will be moving to this precaution in line with the rest of the state.

“In addition, we will also be enforcing mask use for patients and visitors. We will also be tightening the visitor policy back to one defined visitor in most cases.”

NCA NewsWire understands the change will also impact people entering emergency departments, with masks to be given out to those who do not bring their own.

The new advice mandates staff should use a surgical mask when within 1.5m of any patient, and a patient should wear a surgical mask when outside their room, whenever possible.

Visitors should wear masks when inside a facility. The notice provided to staff said patients “may bring their own mask or otherwise be provided with a surgical mask”.

The masks should be discarded once removed, before they become moist or are used for four hours.

Staff have been asked to help conserve mask supply by grouping patient contact facilities and using masks continuously for four hours where possible.

Anyone dealing with a “droplet precaution” patient, which is someone with COVID symptoms, must wear a mask for any interaction with the patient and dispose of it immediately after. Existing advice mandates hospital staff wear full PPE in these situations.

NSW Health has been contacted for further comment.

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2020-07-24 00:56:41Z
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