use of spit hoods on spitters

[workingot]

trying to get my facility to start using spit hoods and want some examples of other facilities that use them. any comments? and could you would you please say in your comment what type of facility . my state mental hospital says they are unsafe and a choking risk, but we employees counter that we are at risk for infectious diseases. we know that many emergency departments and prisons etc use the spit hoods, just looking for some concrete numbers to go to management with. thanks in advance and be safe

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

We use them in the ED at community teaching hospital.

[elkpark]

My large psychiatric facility doesn't allow them, because of the safety concerns you mention. When doing a takedown and staff have no option but to be in close proximity to the client, and the client is known to be a spitter or is trying to spit on staff, one staff person can hold a towel several inches above the person's face to block them from being able to spit on staff, but nothing directly on the person's face.

[Guest219794]

Maybe tasers?

Leaves the airway clear, stops spitting.

[JustKeepDriving]

Worked at a state hospital, we used them regularly because a lot of the patients - especially the Hep C and HIV+ ones - had a penchant for biting themselves in the tongue or cheek and spitting the blood in staff member's faces. I'd always carry a couple on me for this reason. Generally they were only used in an emergency situation, required a nurse to place them and would only stay on the patient from the time of containment until placement in either restraints or seclusion. Basically, I was there assessing airway clearance and respiratory function throughout the event to mitigate any choking risk and they were never kept on longer than absolutely necessary.

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

I have worked in Psych and DD (Now call ID) facilities for 17 years and have never seen them used for the above noted safety and choking risks. Generally the hospitalized population has been tested and so we know what they have. That and the use of standard precautions seems to keep most staff healthy. Plus don't decline that Hep B vaccine.

Hppy