AB227. SOH21AS016. An audit of the availability of appropriate PPE masks for an ENT service during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: COVID-19 is highly transmissible in a healthcare setting. Key process in reducing transmission is by using appropriate PPE. ENT patients generate more aerosols, so ENT examinations should be carried out with FFP2 or preferably FFP3 masks. For these to be effective they need to be readily available and used appropriately. The objective of this audit was to examine the availability of FFP2 and FFP3 masks in wards, clinics and departments of a regional hospital for an ENT junior.

Methods: The availability of PPE masks was measured during the first 5-day cycle, when attending patients under the care of ENT or referred to ENT, and documented as either “yes” or “no”, and defined as being available within the appropriate donning area. The availability was then re-measured during the second 5-day cycle, after implementation of changes, such as, carrying supply of masks, along with individual personal eye protection and alcohol hand gel, and arranging with ENT ward personnel for stock supply of masks for ENT clinicians.

Results: During the first cycle, collected data from 10 patient encounters found that masks were readily available for 8 of those. Having implemented the above changes, data collected from 8 encounters found that masks were available for all. So, the availability of PPE masks increased from 80% to 100%, reaching the gold standard.

Conclusions: Healthcare workers should act responsively and appropriately during the current crisis, and need to know what the appropriate PPE is for their practice and ensure adequate availability with ready access to it.

Keywords: COVID-19; availability; personal protective equipment; masks; aerosol; ENT