Infection control and prevention relevant to T&O

Social distancing, remote consultations and reducing pressure on the NHS

The guidance published in England (available here) highlights that the NHS is adopting other measures for ‘social distancing’ and reducing pressures on the NHS:

• The public are asked to greatly limit visitors to patients, and to consider other ways of keeping in touch such as phone calls.
• All routine CQC inspections and GIRFT visits are being cancelled.

Personal protection equipment (PPE)

Updated PHE guidance was published on 27th April 2020 and is available here.

Recommended PPE for healthcare workers by secondary care inpatient clinical setting, NHS and independent sector, view here.

Operating theatre ventilation

BOA Guidance update on Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGPs) published 3rd July 2020 is available to download here.

Updated PHE guidance was published on 27th April 2020 and is available here.

Additional infection control resources

Editorial from Bone and Joint Research journal that details the risks of potential transmission of COVID-19 during surgery from aerosols can be read here.