09 April 2020

FODO Member alert: PPE update

We will be open over the bank holiday weekend at FODO to support you throughout the Covid-19 crisis. If you need us, contact us as usual at [email protected].  

Updated PPE guidance 

The College of Optometrists has updated its guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE) this afternoon. This includes updated Covid-19 guidance for optometrists and detailed FAQs specifically about PPE. 

We draw all members’ attention to the following key extracts from FAQ, ‘What PPE should I wear?’ 

• “It is now recommended that, for direct patient care at less than 2m, even if the patient is not currently a possible or confirmed case of COVID-19, clinicians should wear single use disposable aprons and gloves (changed for each patient).
  
  “In addition to gloves and aprons, practitioners are advised to risk assess whether they feel they need to wear a fluid-resistant surgical face mask (type IIR) and/or eye/face protection if there is an anticipated or likely risk of contamination with splashes, droplets of blood or body fluids. If masks and/or eye/face protection are worn they can be worn for the whole session (‘sessional use’) rather than changed for each patient, unless they become soiled, damaged or uncomfortable. 
  
  “Optometrists who are seeing patients should follow the same advice and we recommend that all optometrists working within 2m of a patient should choose to wear a surgical mask.” 

The FAQ adds that optometrists: 

• “Should also use a plastic breath shield attached to your slit lamp and disinfect this between patients. This is because studies show that the COVID-19 virus is viable for up to 72 hours on plastic surfaces. You should avoid speaking at the slit lamp.” 

and 

• “Primary care practices should not be seeing patients with symptoms of COVID-19. […] To preserve supplies of PPE and not require people to make visits to the practice unnecessarily, you should conduct a virtual consultation in the first instance.” 

Other FAQs explain "reception staff should maintain a 2m distance at all times, and as such do not require PPE"  and how to use and dispose of PPE and other infection control procedures.   

Members should read this College guidance in full: 

• Covid-19 pandemic: guidance for optometrists (includes PPE) 
• Detailed FAQs specifically about PPE 

PPE supplies 

Across the UK there have been challenges in obtaining PPE. FODO advises: 

• Eye care providers collaborate with each other and the wider health and care system to help optimise the use of available PPE throughout the pandemic. 

• This includes sharing procurement/distribution PPE resources whenever and wherever this is necessary to adhere to UK-wide public health advice on PPE (see above) 

• Collaboration is also possible for disposal. For instance, in some areas optical practices are working with local general practices/clusters to make best use of clinical waste arrangements 

• The Competition and Markets Authority will not take any action against this level of coordination (see para 1.5 in the latest CMA guidance on Covid-19).     

FODO members can also contact [email protected]