July 30, 2020

TriHealth is implementing new eye protection guidelines effective implementing new eye protection guidelines effective Monday, August 3. These new guidelines add another layer of COVID-19 protection for our team members and physicians when interacting with patients.

Over the past few months, we’ve learned much more about the way COVID-19 is spread from person to person. Wearing eye protection in addition to masks will further prevent droplet spread, helping to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Our new guidelines follow recent CDC recommendations, and as we’ve done with all COVID-19 safety practices, we are implementing these new guidelines in full collaboration with all area health systems.

Eye Protection Guidelines

All team members and physicians will be required to wear eye protection when interacting with patients. This applies to all team members and physicians, in both clinical and non-clinical care areas, when interacting with patients in all hospital, outpatient and office settings. Eye protection requirements apply only to interactions with patients and do not include interactions with other team members or visitors. 

• Acceptable eye protection includes (click here for examples):

• Disposable masks with built in eye protection
• Face shields
• Goggles or glasses with side guards
• Plexiglass shields
• Personal goggles and face shields are permitted but must be approved by leadership in your area to ensure they meet the criteria listed above
• Unacceptable eye protection includes:
• Prescription eyeglasses are not acceptable because they do not have side guards. A face shield or disposable mask can be worn over prescription glasses to meet the above criteria.
• Disposable eye protection can be discarded after each shift. The only disposable eyewear we stock are masks with built-in face shields. All other eye protection is reusable.
• Reusable eye protection must be cleaned daily at the end of each shift or when soiled. Click here for cleaning instructions.
• Isolation cleaning protocols must be followed for all Isolation patients, including COVID-19 positive or suspected patients.
• Atricure and GE Face Shields should be used during invasive procedures. The new P&G face shields are acceptable for non-clinical interactions but should not be used during any type of procedure. Click here for examples of each and how to use/clean.
• If your area utilizes plexiglass to protect interactions with patients, you do NOT need to also wear goggles or a face shield. The plexiglass is your eye protection.
• Eye protection requirements apply only to interactions with patients and not visitors or fellow team members or physicians.

Eye Protection Supplies

Eye protection is being delivered to all major campuses this week by our supply chain team. Please check with your leader for specific distribution plans in your area. If you are a TPP or ambulatory location, leaders in those locations should place an order today for delivery of eye protection to your site. The requisition form can be accessed here or you can contact supply chain directly at ppe_purchasing@trihealth.com if you have questions about the ordering process.

Thank you for your continued support of our evolving COVID-19 response and your dedication to keep our patients, team members and physicians safe. Proper PPE usage is proven to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and we are committed to implementing best practices that help ensure we are safe and ready at all times. 

we need eye glasses shields supplied on the unit, the glasses were supplied in the isolation carts, now are not accessable! You need to supply us with them.
Posted by: Team Member on August 10, 2020
Reply/View Reply

We have been promised that we are protected for months, without wearing eye protection. Why the sudden change? It is very difficult to see small details when performing clinical procedures when the eye wear is fogging up constantly. I think it should be an option to wear them.
Posted by: Dana Nichols on August 05, 2020
Reply/View Reply

thank you for protecting us!!!!
Posted by: Carol Brafford on August 05, 2020
Reply/View Reply