Sharing Full-Face Masks and Washing Wounds Without Gloves: Insufficient Protective Gear Remains a Severe Issue in Hospitals
Insufficient protective equipment in hospitals continued to be a predicament for many frontline medical staff. Hospital Authority Employees Alliance (HAEA) sent a formal letter to Hospital Authority and the Labour Department to report complaints such as sharing a full-face mask among 10 staff at Princess Margaret Hospital, and using bare hands to wash wounds due to the lack of disposable gloves at Shatin Hospital.
HAEA stated that they have been receiving complaints from members reporting cases of senior officials suspending the use and supply of protective equipment, which is seriously endangering the safety of medical staff.
In the medical ward of Princess Margaret Hospital, staff complained that full-face masks have to be shared among 8-10 of them for 2 weeks, and they can only sanitize it with alcohol wipes between uses. A medical staff reported that they had to wear a plastic bag over their head as protection since they are not allowed to wear a full-face mask even when the patient is coughing at them.
Medical staffs at Shatin hospital medical ward also reported the serious problem of having an insufficient supply of disposable gloves, so that staff will need to wash wounds, test blood sugar and change patient’s diapers with their bare hands. Some staff even had to use the same pair of gloves to bathe more than one patient.
HAEA mentioned that according to the occupational safety and health regulations, it is the responsibility of Hospital Authority as the employer to provide sufficient personal protective equipment to ensure that employees work in a safe environment. HA Employees Alliance also demanded them to explain and clarify whether their recent change in the guidelines has met international standards. They also urged the Labor Department to investigate.
Source: Stand News #Mar11
#MedicalStaff #Masks #ChinesePneumonia