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The guidelines recommend ‘implementing work practices that reduce the risk of transmission of infectious agents.’1 This includes using personal protective equipment (PPE) to guard against the three modes of transmission of infectious agents — contact, droplet and airborne.
According to the guidelines, the benefits of using PPE ‘clearly outweigh any undesirable effects.’1 They are based on both ‘supportive evidence and a strong theoretical rational to support this intervention’1 and can, therefore, be considered an absolute necessity for proper hygiene practice.
PPE refers to 'a variety of barriers, used alone or in combination, to protect mucous membranes, airway, skin and clothing from contact with infectious agents.’1
Purifas FaceShield (a medical device listed on the ARTG: 313130) is the only form of PPE that fully covers the face hole and has been proven to provide bacterial filtration. It is an essential device for reducing the transmission and contact of infectious diseases within healthcare, clinical and therapy settings, providing a safe environment for both workers and patients.
These properties not only help decrease the transmission of bacteria from the patient to the bed, but also provide a barrier that reduces the potential exposure of bacteria from the bed to the next patient.
The two-ply polypropylene composition of the FaceShield creates a hydrophobic barrier that repels water and water-like fluids, ensuring that infectious microbes travelling through an agent, such as saliva, will not penetrate the barrier. This will result in a reduction of transmitted bacteria through the droplet mode and will, in turn, reduce the exposure of bacteria to next patient.
The patent-pending internal skirt — the key feature of the FaceShield — is the only element of its kind to cover the entire inside of the face hole and whole facial surface of the therapy bed, providing complete coverage and maximum protection for high-quality therapy.
Its main purpose is to reduce the exposure of infectious agents to a patient's mucosal surfaces (eyes, nose or mouth), which are the most common points of entry for an infectious agent. Many of the current paper products do not have any bacterial filtration properties and only cover the top surface of the therapy bed, leaving the patient widely exposed to the infection risk of the face hole.
Currently, there is a lack of attention to therapy bed hygiene in healthcare facilities and other therapy services. This is due to the high turnover of patients and the perceived cleanliness of the current paper sheets. The Purifas FaceShield makes it easy for staff to maintain hygiene standards and reduces the transmission of and exposure to infectious agents.
Infection prevention and control ‘should not be considered as an additional set of practices but as part of standard care.’1
Back to Australian Guidelines
REFERENCES
Ensuring top-notch hygiene in therapy and allied health settings is vital for client safety. Shared equipment can easily lead to cross-contamination without strict hygiene protocols. Towels, frequently used in these environments, can harbour bacteria even after washing, posing risks to both clients and therapists. This guide will help you understand these risks, avoid common mistakes and implement the best hygiene practices, all while being environmentally conscious.
