Re: Mask shortages and the Operating Suite

[Kylie Robb]

Hi Terry and colleagues,

I know for dental, although limited, there is evidence of new masks worn when not required such as for the routine cleaning of the treatment room when no risk of splashing etc. and other situations where no aerosols present yet new masks are worn. I think this does stem from an evolving status quo and the old weve always done it this way approach.

Perhaps objectively reinforcing the principles of when masks are required and clear examples of the application of those principles and this in turn could give confidence for when you dont need to wear a mask.

There is a lot of inappropriate use of masks, especially in the community at the moment and I do believe fear is a factor. Ive seen masks worn by people taking their dog for a walk along the track at the beach and in my view going back to the basics eliminates assumptions and variation of assumed knowledge, builds trust and could allow for reinforcement of best practice/risk management.

Kylie

Kylie Robb
MHSM (Clinical Leadership), CICP-P
Practice Services Manager
Australian Dental Association NSW Branch
Level 1, 1 Atchison Street, St Leonards, New South Wales 2065
t: 02 8436 9936 m: 0438 628 664
E: kylie.robb@adansw.com.au | W:www.adansw.com.au

On 31 Jan 2020, at 1:06 pm, Terry wrote:

Hi Everyone,

I am hearing about mask shortages and this is impacting on my Day Surgery clients, as they are being told that their orders may not be able to be filled because demand is outstripping supply.

Consequently, I am being asked what strategies could be implemented to conserve masks to avoid running out and not being able to perform surgical procedures.

There are obvious conservation strategies we could implement such as anaesthetic team members not wearing masks unless in close proximity to the sterile field or at risk from aerosols or plume; wearing the same mask for more than one patient for short cases such as ophthalmic surgery etc; however I am concerned that if we enact these interim conservation measures there will be push back to correct usage of surgical masks when we return to business as usual.

Do the brains trust have any thoughts re this or other conservation strategies that are being implemented in other Operating Suites?

Kind Regards
Terry McAuley
Director
MSc Medical Device Decontamination

PO BOX 2249, Greenvale, VIC Australia 3059
Mobile: +61 (0)438 109 692
Email: terry@steamconsulting.com.au
Website: http://www.steamconsulting.com.au

[cid:image001.png@01D5D825.FB0424C0]

I endeavour to achieve a sensible work-life balance: There is no need to reply to this email from you outside of your normal working hours. Please expect the same from me.

CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATION: The information contained in this message may contain confidential information intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or duplication of this transmission is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us by telephone or email immediately and return the original message to us or destroy all printed and electronic copies. Nothing in this transmission constitutes an agreement of any kind unless otherwise expressly indicated.

MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to acipclist@acipc.org.au

To send a message to the list administrator send an email to admin@acipc.org.au

You can unsubscribe manually from this list by sending ‘signoff acipclist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au

MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to acipclist@acipc.org.au

To send a message to the list administrator send an email to admin@acipc.org.au

You can unsubscribe manually from this list by sending ‘signoff acipclist’ (witho

[Author]

Posts