whether it is necessary to use hood as PPE for Ebola Prevention

[Sony SO]

Dear All,

With reference to the media, healthcare workers in Africa are using the “white color” protective hoods as personal protective equipment for Ebola Prevention. Because use of hood is not the common infection control practice, hence I would like know whether use of hood will be included in the AUS infection control prevention and control preparedness plan for Ebola.

Another raised question is the use of hoods, we note the white color hood is kept OUTSIDE the gown. However, by using risk assessment approach for assessing staff exposure risk in the above mentioned scenario, it seems the hood should be kept inside the gown, simply because the occupational exposure risk is lower. Details are as follows:
Scenario 1: Hood is kept INSIDE the gown, refer to attached photo, titled hood inside (image is digitally revised). If splashing is occurred, the gown should be contaminated. However the lower part of the hood i.e. neck region should not be contaminated when compare to gown. When remove the PPE, (1) gown is removed first because it is the most contaminated. (2) the goggle, (3) Hood (relatively less contaminated), please note, when removing the hood, it would pass through the head region, ie risk of contact the eyes may be present.

Scenario 2: Hood is kept OUTSIDE the gown (refer to attached photo, titled hood outside). If splashing is occurred, the gown should be contaminated, and the lower part of the hood should be contaminated as well i.e. neck region. When remove the PPE, (1) gown is removed first because it is the most contaminated. (2) goggle, (3) Hood (contaminated), please note, when removing the contaminated hood, it would pass through the head region, ie risk of contact eyes is higher.

Regards,

Sony SO

Nursing Officer, Infection Control Branch (Team 2)

Centre for Health Protection

office phone: +852 2125-2922; fax: +852 3523-0752

HA email sony@ha.org.hk; DH email no_icb4@dh.gov.hk
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