PPE concerns as we return

[ruby_jane]

I've had the opportunity to attend some DYNAMITE Zoom/remote conferences during this time. So, here's what I worry about for fall (because I really hope we're back in the fall!)

We will need PPE for what I call the viral rebound (and realistically for flu season).

We will need to put masks on anyone who's coughing (in case). Surgical would be best. Cloth won't do much.

We will need some kind of PPE to don, just in case. Surgical masks and a full face shield (reusable, cleanable) will likely do it for us. N95s would be a dream but still you'd need goggles/eye protection.

NOW - where are we getting all these things?? My budget at the elementary was $150. For the year. For 600 bebes.

[SandIsMyGlitterRN, BSN, RN]

What are your plans for isolating students that are possibly contagious with COVID when students that need ice, meds, bandage, etc. come in to the office??? My space is very small. Worried about how I will handle this.

[BrisketRN, BSN, RN]

17 minutes ago, SandIsMyGlitterRN said:

What are your plans for isolating students that are possibly contagious with COVID when students that need ice, meds, bandage, etc. come in to the office??? My space is very small. Worried about how I will handle this.

We have been told we will need to have a designated COVID area. Possibly a conference room, an unused classroom/office, rearrange people so there's an open office, heck even a large closet.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

On 4/30/2020 at 9:11 AM, BrisketRN said:

We have been told we will need to have a designated COVID area. Possibly a conference room, an unused classroom/office, rearrange people so there's an open office, heck even a large closet.

In the Ebola Days, the Ebola confinement area would have been the bathroom. Not the best idea. In my clinic I think I have six feet from door to door and another six feet from the cabinet area to the back wall. No confinement space except the bathroom....

[SaltineQueen]

On 4/30/2020 at 10:11 AM, BrisketRN said:

We have been told we will need to have a designated COVID area. Possibly a conference room, an unused classroom/office, rearrange people so there's an open office, heck even a large closet.

Have you seen the NASN publication that just came out this past week? It suggests an isolation area preferably with negative pressure. I laughed and laughed! I don’t see how that’s going to be possible for my situation. There is no where to put an isolation area without major renovation.

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

On 5/2/2020 at 8:06 AM, SaltineQueen said:

Have you seen the NASN publication that just came out this past week? It suggests an isolation area preferably with negative pressure. I laughed and laughed! I don’t see how that’s going to be possible for my situation. There is no where to put an isolation area without major renovation.

Or at least a window to the outside; My office is connected to the Principal's office, so she is likely going to have to give up her space at least temporarily if this is what the recommendations are!

[Eleven011]

I just notified my admin that I have added to my budget request for next year to add masks, face shields, gowns and dedicated alcohol sanitizer station for my office. We have just finished building a new school, so a remodel for a quarantine room isn't going to happen, but I do have a fairly large room. I plan to put anyone coughing at the far end of the office, and then there is a privacy curtain I can pull also. It would be a good 8 feet away from anyone just coming in for a routine med, or bandaid. I guess we do what we can!

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

We are looking at cloth surgical gowns that will be washed at school. Beats the heck out of tossing out disposable ones. Our tech ed teacher will make us face shields on the 3d printer. I guess we will have to what LTC care is fdoing and get multiple day uses out of N95s ....