Whether your facility currently has adequate PPE supplies or has PPE supply constraints, LAC DPH asks all facilities to review and be familiar with CDC contingency capacity strategies.
Updated Cal/OSHA Interim Guidance on COVID-19 for Health Care Facilities-Severe Respirator Supply Shortages (8-6-20) guidance . CAL/OSHA has updated guidance regarding respirator requirements when caring for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Initial and annual N95 respiratory fit testing is required for all staff. Extended use of N95 respirators is permitted however re-use over multiple days is not permitted at this time.
Strategies to Optimize the Supply of PPE - see
CDC
website
Contingency Capacity Strategies by PPE type:
Eye
protection,
isolation
gowns,
facemasks,
N95
respirators
DPH PPE Assistance Program: New! This program can provide a short-term supply of PPE to eligible healthcare facilities and providers if their supply is critically low. Note that this program serves as a bridge and does not supplant the normal supply chain for PPE. Visit http://ph.lacounty.gov/ppe
PPE Coordinator email for general inquiries about PPE supplies
DPHPPECoordinator@ph.lacounty.gov
Universal Source Control
Universal source control is recommended for all persons entering a healthcare facility.
HCPs should wear face coverings at all times while they are in the healthcare facility. Masks or respirators are preferred, but non-medical face coverings can be used for non-patient care activities. Extended use and reuse of masks and respirators should be based on principles set forth in prior CDC PPE optimization guidance.
Universal Use of PPE For Patient Care
When there are moderate to high rates of COVID-19 in the community, HCP are more likely to encounter asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic patients. For this reason, in addition to standard precautions, the CDC recommends that HCP wear:
See Implement Universal Use of PPE section of CDC Interim Infection Prevention & Control Recommendations
Personal Protective Equipment for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19