FAQ: How can I manage PPE-related skin damage?

/in ,

Click here for PDF 

The continuous, extended and repetitive use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks, gloves and safety glasses/goggles, may cause adverse skin reactions.

This document provides interim guidance to health care workers (HCW) on how to prevent and manage PPE-related skin damage from increased usage during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The main symptoms HCWs may experience as a result of prolonged use include: burning, itching, stinging, contact dermatitis, hives, ulcers, scaling, papules, cracks and maceration.

Factors that may contribute to skin irritation include: length of wear time, pressure, friction, sweating, the use of cosmetics and skin products.

Note: It is the responsibility of each HCW to verify with their institutional Infection Control or Workplace Health teams that any measures taken to prevent or manage PPE-related skin injuries do not interfere with the efficacy of PPE or contradict any workplace policies.

FAQ: What do I do if I’m living with someone who is found to be COVID positive?

/in ,

If you are living with someone who is found to be COVID positive:

  1. Arrange to have a PCR test as soon as possible – Call 604.587.3936 – 32470 Haida Drive, Abbotsford, BC
  2. Phone Menno Place Staffing with this information and let them know you will not be coming to work. Tell them that you are living with someone who is COVID positive.
  3. Do not come to work as you may be asymptomatic and COVID positive. You may be told by Public Health that, if you are double-vaccinated, you may return to work.
    Menno Place instruction are that you DO NOT return to work if you live with someone COVID positive. 
  4. Remain off work for 10 days to ensure that you are not contagious.
  5. Take a rapid test BEFORE you return to work following your 10 days of isolation

Got a question? Send to: Connect@MennoPlace.ca

FAQ: How do you do a rapid test?

/in ,
Read more

FAQ: What does a COVID Positive rapid test look like?

/in ,

How do you know if your rapid test is positive?

You have to wait the FULL 15 minutes until ALL the pink disappears and all that is left are the lines. Look at this test in the photo.

It is COVID positive!

Can you see the VERY faint line under the T?

You need to stay outside of the resident space until all the pink disappears and you know FOR SURE that your test is negative. Otherwise… what safety are you ensuring for your co-workers and the residents?

Take a look at the magnified photo below.

A bit shocking at how pale the positive is, isn’t it?

You don’t want to head into the unit too early. Let the test do it’s job – give yourself time to see the results and enter the unit with CERTAINTY that you’ve done all you can to keep everyone safe.

 

What are the medical exemptions for unvaccinated staff?

/in , ,

The Office of the Provincial Health Officer has now provided the list of medical exemptions for unvaccinated individuals.

The details are found here – CLICK HERE

If you believe that your medical issue qualifies under these exemptions, please go to your doctor and get a letter indicating that you qualify for this medical exemption. Provide this letter to Human Resources.

TEAM FAQ: What about wearing Goggles?

/in ,

Should I be wearing goggles?

Staff, regardless of vaccination status, are not required to wear goggles UNLESS

  1. you are in proximity to a resident who is on isolation
  2. you are working in an area that is declared on outbreak (at the time of this writing this is Menno Home and Terrace East)

Should I be wearing a mask?

Masks are mandatory for all staff in all areas regardless of vaccination status.

TEAM FAQ: What should I be doing if I have received one dose? Am I vaccinated?

/in ,

If you have received one dose of COVID vaccine OR you have received two doses of COVID vaccine less than 7 days ago, you are considered UNVACCINATED.

When do you qualify as vaccinated? When you have received TWO doses of COVID vaccine at least 7 days ago.

If you are partially vaccinated, you must follow the Provincial Health Orders for the unvaccinated, including mandatory rapid checks before each shift beginning September 13. This changes when you’ve had your 2nd dose and waited at least 7 days.

 

Who should rapid test before EVERY shift? EVERYONE who works at Menno Place

/in

Rapid Tests Strongly Encouraged for ALL Staff before EVERY shift

In light of the news of the outbreak at Menno Home, Menno Place is strongly suggesting that all staff, regardless of immunization status do a rapid test prior to their shift. Rapid tests are readily available. It is best for you to do the rapid test prior to entering the building / resident space. Please ask your supervisor for information on where the rapid test can be done. Allow 20 minutes prior to your shift to test yourself and read your results. Maintain social distance from your co-workers while you do your rapid test.

There are a number of instances at Menno Place where a staff member has chosen to do a rapid test prior to their shift and as a result, they did not come into contact with the residents or their colleagues when they tested positive for COVID. These no-contact situations have been deemed low-risk or no-risk to Menno Place. This has been true for both unvaccinated and vaccinated staff. Some staff have chosen to do this rapid test after a period of time away, such as a vacation or a weekend. Some have chosen to do the rapid test when they have been among people where they don’t know vaccination status, such as a wedding, church service or family reunion.

As the rate of COVID increases in our community, especially right here on the Menno Place campus, please be vigilant to do everything you can to protect your co-workers and the residents who live here.

Effective September 13, unvaccinated staff are under Provincial Health Orders to Rapid Test prior to each shift – CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

If you have any questions, please contact your supervisor.

How to do a Rapid Test – CLICK HERE

What to do if your Rapid Test is Positive

If a rapid test for is positive, the staff member must:

  • notify Menno Place (supervisor / staffing)
  • leave the building as soon as it is operationally safe to do so,
  • arrange to have a PCR test as soon as possible – Call 604.587.3936 – 32470 Haida Drive, Abbotsford, BC
  • advise Menno Place (supervisor / staffing) of the result of the PCR test;
  • and not return to Menno Place unless the result of the PCR test is negative

If the PCR test result is positive:

  • 10 days have passed from the time of the positive rapid test, or
  • the staff member’s return has been approved by the medical health officerA

A PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test for COVID-19 is a test used to diagnosis people who are currently infected with SARS-CoV-2, which is the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The test is a nose swab and is the most accurate and reliable test for diagnosing COVID-19. The PHO requires this test to be administered by a publicly funded program or a publicly paid health care provider.