Royal Alexandra Hospital Department of Anaesthetics
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      • COVID 19 >
        • PPE (COVID 19) >
          • Droplets and aerosols (COVID 19)
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          • FFP3 or surgical mask?
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        • Obstetrics >
          • PPE in obstetrics (COVID 19)
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        • Critical care/ICU >
          • ICM West of Scotland Trainee Website
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        • Theatres >
          • Intercollegiate General surgery guidance (PPE/AGP/COVID 19)
          • Fragility fractures patient management (COVID 19)
          • Theatre brief checklist (COVID 19)
          • Theatre personnel PPE advice (COVID 19)
          • Theatre equipment checklist (COVID 19)
          • Anaesthesia SOP (COVID 19)
        • Trakcare alerts guide
        • COVID FAQs March 2020
  • Induction
    • New Start Resources >
      • Before you start
      • RCoA Novice Guide
      • Anaesthetic machine instruction
      • Tutorials for new starts
      • Structured training for novices (STAN)
    • General
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  • Guidelines
    • Antibiotics >
      • Gentamicin prescribing (antibiotics)
      • Gentamicin surgical prophylaxis (antibiotics)
    • Quick reference handbook (QRH)
    • Anaphylaxis >
      • Anaphylaxis service referral
      • Anaphylaxis blood tests
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      • ERAS (Enhanced recovery after surgery)
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      • Analgesia for hysterectomy (open)
    • ICM (ICU)
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      • Maternity handbook
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      • Epidurals >
        • Epidural pump setup
        • Epidural top ups
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      • Thromboembolic disease in pregnancy
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      • Preeclampsia
      • Post dural puncture headache
      • Tranexamic acid in PPH (obstetrics)
      • Post partum haemorrhage (PPH)
      • Antibiotics for caesarean section/assisted delivery (obstetrics)
      • Caesarean section analgesia (obstetrics)
      • Syntocinon for caesarean section (oxytocin)
      • Remifentanil PCA (obstetrics)
    • Orthopaedics >
      • Tranexamic acid for hip and knee replacement
      • Analgesia for hip and knee replacement
  • Useful stuff
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  • Contact us
  • Pumps (Baxter/Alaris)
    • Baxter volumetric pump
  • Trauma July-Oct 2020
Droplets, aerosols and AGPs
  • Droplets are relatively large (5-10 microns) and don’t remain airborne for long (6 feet/2m rule)
  • Sneezing and coughing can propel droplets much further. Use of tissues, masks or clothing prevents this
  • Aerosols are smaller and lighter than droplets (<5 microns) and can remain suspended in the air for longer periods of time. If there is little air disturbance, aerosols containing virus can be present in a room after 3 hours. If there is air circulation, the concentration of aerosolised particles fall as they stick to surfaces
  • Fluid resistant surgical masks (FRSMs) offer protection against droplets. WHO guidance states that FFP3 masks do NOT offer enhanced protection against droplet spread
  • FFP3 masks are needed when a risk of aerosol spread is possible, by aerosol generating procedures (AGPs)
  • AGPs include: open suctioning of oropharynx and trachea, intubation, extubation, NIV, HFNO, bag/mask ventilation
  • CPR: current national guidance allows chest compressions wearing non-FFP3 protection. No bag/mask ventilation, unless wearing FFP3 PPE.
  • However, our current critical care protocol is NOT to become involved in any form of CPR unless you have donned full FFP3 protection