Lessons learned from the ‘first wave'

Experts speaking at the Central Sterilising Club’s virtual study day shared their insights into strategies to manage shortages of PPE and important lessons learned on the building of field hospitals, to meet demand in a crisis.

Shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) hit the headlines during the height of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the crisis escalated, Trusts were forced to consider strategies around the potential reuse of single-use PPE. A recent virtual study day, by the Central Sterilising Club, looked at the evidence to support reuse of PPE, strategies for decontamination and reflected on some of the efforts Trusts have made to address staff fears around the transmission of the virus

Colin Brown, a consultant in infectious diseases and medical microbiology, from Public Health England and the Royal Free Hospital NHS Trust, gave an overview of ‘PPE guidance’, ‘what went well’ and ‘what lessons were learnt’, during the first wave.