Chandigarh4 hours ago
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PGI Chandigarh has planned to restrict the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) only to COVID ICU and COVID Testing Labs on the lines of AIIMS New Delhi.
In view of the decline in corona cases, PGI Chandigarh has planned to limit the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) only to COVID ICU and COVID Testing Labs on the lines of AIIMS New Delhi. A meeting will be held soon to finalize it.
In order to take care of the health of health care workers during the pandemic, AIIMS had amended its guidelines related to PPE. To ensure the safety of HCWs, the institute decided to allow gown based PPE in non-COVID areas, emergency and screening areas. There was also an option to have gown or coverall based PPE in Kovid ICU and Labs.
Prof. Arunalok Chakraborty, Head, Department of Microbiology at PGI said that we have already circulated a revised guideline among the members of our committee. Feedback has been taken from HCW and we will take a final decision soon.
Gown based PPE kits include one with N95 mask, goggles with face shield, gloves and long shoe cover. In clinical areas, AIIMS also recommends a well-fitting N95 or equivalent mask meeting the required standards.
According to a faculty member at PGI, it is not easy to wear coveralls and perform routine activities in the hospital. When the pandemic started, there was a lot of demand for PPE due to which there was a shortage of coveralls. However, it has now become clear that such protection is not needed in non-Covid or low infection areas.
A faculty member said – PGI gets stock of PPE from Government of India and a team checks the quality of Protected Gear donated for HCW. Keeping in mind the safety of HCW is of paramount importance, so changes in the guidelines will be approved after agreeing with the members of this team.
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