The World Health Organisation (WHO), has conducted a formal review of personal protective equipment (PPE) guidelines for healthcare workers and is updating its guidelines in the context of the current outbreak. A statement issued by Tarik Jasarevic, WHO Communications Officer and copied to Ghana News Agency on Friday said this is part of the WHO’s commitment to safety and protection of healthcare workers and patients from transmission of Ebola virus disease. It said these updated guidelines aim to clarify and standardise safe and effective PPE options to protect health care workers and patients, as well as provide information for procurement of PPE stock in the current Ebola outbreak. The guidelines were based on a review of evidence of PPE use during care of suspected and confirmed Ebola disease patients. The Guidelines Development Group convened by WHO included participation of a wide range of experts from developed and developing countries, and international organisations including the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Médecins Sans Frontières, the Infection Control Africa Network and others. “These guidelines hold an important role in clarifying effective personal protective equipment options that protect the safety of healthcare workers and patients from Ebola virus disease transmission,” said Edward Kelley, WHO Director for Service Delivery and Safety. “Paramount to the guidelines’ effectiveness is the inclusion of mandatory training on the putting on, taking off and decontaminating of PPE, followed by mentoring for all users before engaging in any clinical care.” Guidelines were developed from an accelerated development process that meets WHO’s standards for scientific rigour and serves as a complement to the Interim Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Care of Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Filovirus Haemorrhagic Fever in Health-Care Setting, with Focus on Ebola, published by WHO in August. Experts agreed that it is most important to have PPE that protects the mucosae – mouth, nose and eyes – from contaminated droplets and fluids.
Posted on: Sat, 01 Nov 2014 11:07:31 +0000
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