Thread by @ZiadFazel

#COVID19AB 🧵
Congregate Care PPE

Tender shoots of good news emerging from the frozen IPAC ground covering LTC, DSL and Hospices:
• for those with family or family there
• who work there
• who care about the people who work there

alberta.ca/protecting-res…

See Q&A: "COVID-19 Requirements for Licensed Supportive Living, Long-Term Care & Hospice Settings" with PPE improvements for:
• staff option: fit-tested N95, non-fit tested N95, or seal-checked KN95
• visitor option: seal-checked KN95 or Blue Leakie™️ offered by facility

Staff:

"Effective immediately, and as supplies allow, it is recommended that all staff use either a well-
fitted surgical/procedure mask OR a seal-checked respirator continuously while on shift."

No more BlueLeakie™️ for the undervalued HCAs caring for infected residents.

Hopefully no more of this dance where they wear a BlueLeakie™️ all over the facility, but don a respirator only when entering a room with an infected resident marked "Droplet Hazard." Same air.

Hopefully "Airborne Hazard" sign instead of stupid, dangerous Droplet Dogma.

"Visiting persons may use their own seal-checked KN-95 mask."

"LTC, DSL and hospice operators are required to offer visitors a surgical/procedure mask if visitors do not have their own KN-95."

So this is Visitor Option now! Not forced by Facility!

@Lorian_H @UbakaOgbogu

@Lorian_H @UbakaOgbogu Now, as Professors Hardcastle and Ogbogu know all to well, the devil is in the details of the orders & procedures.

open.alberta.ca/dataset/f7f404…

and in consistent implementation of the policy.

I have already experienced inconsistency at one LTC, but am taking hardcopies tomorrow.

* with family or friends there*

Hopefully, no more of this dance where I have to put a Blue Leakie™️ over top of my elastomeric respirator, after stretching the ear loops very hard so the Blue Leakie™️ doesn't spoil my seal.

I am concerned about being pigeonholed by only being allowed a KN95, though.

It looks like Alberta Health is trying to stratify things with:
• Staff: you get an N95
• Visitor: if you didn't bring a KN95, you must wear our Blue Leakie™️

But this might just be something that gets fixed with more knowledge & input from people other than AB Health's SAG.

I would like AB Health to be open to BETTER than N95 and KN95.

Like elastomeric respirators, which are both safer and more cost-effective for staff especially.

Or CA-N95 or new CSA respirators.

open.alberta.ca/dataset/f7f404…

I hope I'm not forced to don a "FRESH" mask on arrival.

Because if I am carrying virus, it is in my lungs, and will infect my mask in 1 breath. Everyone in the facility is safer with me in a respirator than a Blue Leakie™️

I'm not going patient to patient - just to my folks.

"But Ziad" you wisely point out, "What about this 'Seal-Check" in the Q&A?

Is that the thing with a Bitrex nebulizer in a plastic hood that experienced PPE specialist HCW have to administer?

Good question, I respond.

This 3M infographic explains the difference between:
• Fit Test - mainly employer responsibility to ensure PPE fits employee
• Seal Check or Fit Check - mainly employee responsibility before starting shift, and to ensure is continuously maintained

safetynetwork.3m.com/blog/wp-conten…

Then this AHS infographic confirms and explains it for Alberta HCW.

A simple User Seal Check.

Just wish they had not limited it just to KN95. Works for all types of respirators.

Thanks, and Good Night.

@threadreaderapp unroll

albertahealthservices.ca/assets/info/pp…