Publish date: 15 July 2021
We have made a number of changes to COVID-19 procedures for Mid Mersey division staff, to bring these in line with the Trust's COVID-19 procedures:
Staff testing
The Mid Mersey swabbing team is no longer operational. If you have COVID-19 symptoms, you must self-isolate immediately in line with Government guidance and arrange a PCR test at a local testing centre.
Staff working in care homes are no longer required to complete weekly asymptomatic PCR tests. These staff must continue to undertake lateral flow tests and ensure they can demonstrate a negative test before entering a care home.
Inpatients
Mid Mersey division staff should now follow the Trust's standard operating procedures (SOPs) for swabbing, isolating and visiting inpatients. These can all be found on YourSpace. The main changes to the procedures are listed below:
- Newly admitted patients are now required to receive three negative swabs - on day one, day three and between days five and seven, before ending their isolation.
- If a patient tests positive for COVID-19, they must then complete an isolation period of 14 days.
- Each inpatient is permitted to have one visitor a week.
- Wards are expected to record their own COVID swabbing results on Rio. For more information, please see the Mid Mersey division COVID-19 swabbing reporting guide.
Resuscitation
In the event of a cardiac arrest, staff must now follow the updated guidance on YourSpace.
Staff should don level 3 PPE before undertaking an aerosol generated procedure. This includes during a cardiac arrest. Level 3 PPE packs are available with the resuscitation equipment on each inpatient ward. Remember to dispose of the PPE appropriately after use.