SCDF revises personal protective equipment requirements in view of reduced Covid-19 cases in community

They will only wear enhanced PPE for specific cases, but will continue to put on N95 masks and goggles.

Kayla Wong | June 14, 2020, 11:58 AM

In light of the reduced number of Covid-19 cases in the community, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is set to revise the personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements for SCDF ambulance personnel when attending to emergency calls.

SCDF staff donned enhanced PPE since DORSCON level was raised

According to a news release issued on Sunday, June 14, SCDF ambulance crew members have been required to don enhanced PPE since Feb. 7, when the DORSCON (Disease Outbreak Response System Condition) level was raised to Orange.

The enhanced PPE consists of a N95 mask, goggles and a full gown.

Crew members with long hair also had to wear a bouffant cap.

Required to wear enhanced PPE only for certain cases

But with effect from Monday, June 15, SCDF ambulance personnel will only be required to wear enhanced PPE when responding to the following cases involving:

  • A known Covid-positive person;
  • A person who is under quarantine or Stay-Home-Notice;
  • A person who fits the Ministry of Health's (MOH) suspect case criteria

They will continue to put on an N95 mask and goggles when attending to all cases.

Infection control measures to remain in place

Other infection control measures, such as the practice of strict hand hygiene and the decontamination of ambulances after conveying patients to the hospitals, will continue to be implemented, SCDF said.

This is to ensure the safety of SCDF ambulance personnel and patients.

Shalini Arulanandam, Chief Medical Officer at SCDF, said the decision to revise the PPE requirements for their ambulance personnel was made after "careful consideration which has taken into account the reduced transmission risk in the community".

She reiterated that all crew will continue to wear N95 masks and goggles at all times while on duty to provide adequate protection from potential droplet spread of Covid-19 through the mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth) when they perform procedures such as CPR and airway management.

58 out of 4,954 suspected cases confirmed to be Covid-19 positive later

SCDF emergency ambulances have conveyed 4,954 suspected Covid-19 cases, and 58 of these cases later turned out to be Covid-19 positive, as of June 12.

SCDF said it will continue to review and adjust PPE requirements for their ambulance personnel as necessary.

Top image adapted via Lewis Tay and Rexanne Yap