The Federal AMA has issued a statement on PPE and COVID-19, reinforcing the view that standard precautions – surgical masks, eye protection, gowns and gloves – are appropriate for doctors and other healthcare workers when managing the vast majority of COVID-positive patients.
The statement, authored by Federal AMA Vice President and thoracic physician Dr Chris Zappala said the standard level of precautions was also suitable when collecting nasopharyngeal/throat swabs from suspected patients.
However precautions should be stepped up to P2 masks, eye protection, gown and gloves (donned and doffed correctly) for aerosol-generating procedures such as endotracheal intubation or when caring for patients with severe respiratory disease in ICU and high dependency units.
“Routine care of non-COVID patients can proceed as usual with standard precautions only. There is no need to apply extra precautions or use P2 masks for non-COVID patients (excepting those who are suspect cases who are undergoing further testing),” it said.
The recommendations also state that surgical masks are of no value for people in the community who are well. Masks gave people a false sense of security and diverted PPE from doctors and hospitals where they were urgently needed.
That viewpoint has been reinforced recently by Australian researchers at the University of Australia’s JBI (formerly Joanna Briggs Institute) who said wearing of masks or respirators by uninfected people in the general community is not necessary or effective.
Their evidence summary, based on systematic reviews and WHO interim guidelines, said best practice was “a multifaceted approach (e.g. the use of masks during high risk exposure and the practice of evidence-based hand hygiene techniques) to prevent the transmission of respiratory infection in the community is recommended.” (Grade A recommendation)