Prevention of Facial Skin Damage Caused by PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
Prevention of Facial Skin Damage Caused by PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
“Following closely the guidelines of NHS England and NHS Improvement, Advanced Medical Solutions have produced the following instructions and cutter guide to help clincians adapt a silicone foam dressing to help with pain and facial skin damage caused by continuous use of personal protective equipment.
To all of our colleagues in the NHS and community, we thank you for your dedication and ongoing professionalism under such extraordinary circumstances. As a UK manufacturer we are here to help.”
Healthcare workers are experiencing facial skin damage from the continuous use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as goggles and face masks. Advanced Medical Solutions are here to help.
With the use of a silicone foam dressing and our downloadable cutter guide and instructions, the dressing can be adapted to act as an interface between the skin and PPE, minimising pain and trauma.
NHS England and NHS Improvement have produced guidelines on helping to prevent facial skin damage beneath PPE1.
The recommendations include:
- Keep your skin clean and well hydrated/moisturised
- Apply creams at least 30 minutes before applying PPE
- Regularly inspect your skin for signs of redness/soreness
- It is important that you take regular breaks
- Stay well hydrated throughout the day
- The product should be as low profile as possible
- You should ensure your mask still fits correctly; the fit test should be repeated
- Ensure the skin and your mask/visor are clean and thoroughly dry before applying
ACTIVHEAL® SILICONE FOAM LITE NON BORDER DRESSING HELPS TO PROTECT THE SKIN:
- Provides excellent fluid management by absorbing moisture and transpiring moisture through the top of the dressing
- Minimises pain and trauma with gentle silicone adhesive
- Low profile and highly flexible allowing the dressing to conform to facial structures
Use of a dressing between skin and PPE
FOR EARLOOP MASK IF REQUIRED
Assess all contact areas between PPE and the skin. The nose, the cheeks, the forehead and the posterior region of the ear are pressure/friction zones.
- Wash and dry the face, specifically in the places where the dressing material will be applied.
- Use the cutter guide to cut out the required shapes. Place the shape on top to cut out the appropriate shape required. The cutter guide is only a recommendation and each shape should be cut to best fit the end user.
- Apply gently to the respective areas, stretched without too much tension but avoiding wrinkles or folds.
- After applying PPE, confirm the correct application of the dressing, without increasing unnecessary pressure/tension in the contact areas.
- Check the sealing of the PPE with the interface and with the skin. The dressing should not compromise the seal of the PPE and a fit test should be repeated.
- Dressings should be removed and replaced at each doffing as they may be contaminated.
PLEASE NOTE: The main hydration of the skin is not topically, but systemically. Health professionals should optimize their hydration and nutrition so that they maintain a balanced physiological response.
Please ensure you follow local and national guidelines.
DOWNLOADS
WE ARE HERE TO HELP
Our customer service hours remain as 09:00 to 17:00 GMT
For any enquiries, please call us on +44 (0)8444 125 755
Or email us at activheal@admedsol.com
For specific questions, our team members will be available to support you. Our team are available via telephone and other remote virtual systems, should you require any further help or assistance please visit ActivHeal Team.
To all of our colleagues in the NHS and community, we thank you for your dedication and ongoing professionalism under such extraordinary circumstances. As a UK manufacturer, we are here to help.
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References:
1. NHS England and NHS Improvement – Helping prevent facial and skin damage beneath personal protective equipment. 9th April 2020 publications approval ref 001559
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