Do people realise that covid patients don't wear masks?

[Arundelclassrom]

Just interested to hear if people know this. I see a lot on these threads that people think it's "ok for doctors and nurses because they have effective ppe". Do you realise that masks do not protect you, they protect others from you? Do you realise covid patients who are struggling to breathe do not wear masks? Do you realise they are coughing all over us as we provide care?

I'm not saying this to complain - this is my job and I do it willingly because I care. I'm just getting really frustrated seeing people who apparently think there is no risk involved in my job, and that theirs is somehow more risky than a job where we are in an enclosed space with actual confirmed covid patients...

[Augustbreeze]

Very good point and it should be made widely!

[Covidcovidcovid]

I didn't know that,as recently a relative of mine had to visit a&e and was admitted and had to wear a mask any time they had contact from staff. Relative has COPD

[bumblingbovine49]

If you are working with known Covid patients you should have full PPE with proper ff3 level masks with breathing valves that protect the wearer not the person infected and ideally a visor as well . If this is not the case and you are just wearing a surgical type mask then that is truly outrageous and I agree more people should.know above this

[BooksAreNotEssentialInWales]

I hadn't really thought about it, but now you've said it I can see that if you're struggling to breathe no health professional would encourage you to wear a mask. Thank you.

[PicsInRed]

Don't staff have n95s, visors and goggles?

[bumblingbovine49]

Also Covid patients should.be encouraged to wear surgical masks but I appreciate that this is not always possible if a patient is struggling to breathe

[BlackPetunia]

i hadn't thought about this

you must all be terrified....i'm in awe of all the nhs staff

[ChasingRainbows19]

Only have Ffp3 and gowns for aerosol generating procedures/cohorted area.

We get surgical masks safety glasses/visor and plastic apron for those on low o2 etc.

We have to wear the same for every patient contact regardless now.

[QueenStromba]

Scandalous. You should have minimum FFP2 for suspected covid and FFP3 for confirmed covid.

[1stV45]

Medical staff working with known Covid patients do have PPE to properly protect them from others though? It's only the face coverings required for shopping etc that don't.

[Arundelclassrom]

"Medical staff working with known Covid patients do have PPE to properly protect them from others though? It's only the face coverings required for shopping etc that don't"

No we don't! I'm really impressed at the propaganda that makes people think we do. We get a basic surgical mask which does not protect us from the covid being breathed out by our actual covid patients. We are not protected in any way. Staff in Icu get full ppe. Staff on general medical wards do not. This is reflected in infection rates - ICU staff low infections, gen med staff v high

[Lifeisabeach09]

Same in nursing homes, OP. It tends to be surgical masks, aprons and, if lucky, a visor or goggles.

[JocelynSchitt]

Its amazing that test and trace have hospitals quite low down on places to catch covid in that case. Like, really, really low down the list.

Its almost like the measures put in place in hospitals, but nowhere else, are actually effective.

[JocelynSchitt]

This is reflected in infection rates - ICU staff low infections, gen med staff v high
What’s the source for this, please?

[Lucymumofson]

Sorry where do you work? I work in a large acute hospital with wards full of confirmed covid patients. No member of staff is allowed near a covid positive patient without full head to toe PPE, not a surgical mask on its own.
Any patients on the covid step down ward (ten days plus asymptomatic) - then the staff are wearing amber PPE (ffp surgical mask, glasses/visor, aprons and gloves). For the rest of the hospital is gloves aprons and surgical mask...

[Justjoinedforthis]

I think this varies by trust.

[PicsInRed]

But that's madness.

What are your union doing?

[LethargicLumpOfLockdownLard]

Actually that does surprise me and I'm a nurse. Last time I was on a ward with flu patients (in a side room) they had to wear masks when staff or visitors came in the room so I just assumed it was the same for Covid.
I am in general practice and all my patients wear masks unless exempt.

[MushMonster]

OMG it should not vary by trust and it should be like Lucymumofson says.
At least you are working with the patients that have already passed the infection.

[starrynight19]

That is really shocking to think you are working with wards full of covid patients with only a surgical mask. I honestly thought you got adequate ppe now there isn’t a shortage.

[Ad3laid3]

I’m in the community and for Covid positive patients we wear surgical mask, visor, gloves and apron. FFP3 is only worn for aerosol generating procedures. I think it does vary from trust to trust.

[stairway]

During the peak we had to look after covid patients with just a surgical mask as they didn’t have enough of the n95 type masks and these were reserved for aerosol generating procedures. Fortunately the covid patients are contained on a covid ward at the moment but if it gets bad again I can’t see us all wearing n95 masks as they are really expensive.

[Vivana]

I work in a care home with covid residents and all we have are disposable masks, disposable apron and gloves. We have to change each time we come out of there rooms. No protection whatsoever specially when up close and seeing to there personal needs.

[CodenameVillanelle]

My sister in law is a radiographer and for covid positive patients she wears the full protective gear. If your hospital isn't providing that they are in the wrong.

[treerain]

@Lucymumofson

Sorry where do you work? I work in a large acute hospital with wards full of confirmed covid patients. No member of staff is allowed near a covid positive patient without full head to toe PPE, not a surgical mask on its own.
Any patients on the covid step down ward (ten days plus asymptomatic) - then the staff are wearing amber PPE (ffp surgical mask, glasses/visor, aprons and gloves). For the rest of the hospital is gloves aprons and surgical mask...

Seriously? Every covid patient on every ward and you have full PPE with FFP3??? Where do you work?!!!! I'm getting a job there.

I treat unmasked covid patients in a paper mask and a plastic pinny same as every other patient 🤷‍♀️