KNYSNA NEWS - In this pandemic where healthcare workers are among the most at risk for becoming infected, the Knysna community has taken practical and meaningful measures to help protect hospice clinical staff as they continue to see and support patients in their homes.
After seeing that the clinical staff at the Knysna Sedgefield Hospice – who work with Covid-19 patients – were in need of personal protective equipment (PPE), a team of volunteers stepped in to lend a helping hand.
"To buy disposable isolation PPE was cost prohibitive, so Dr Julie Dieterich helped us to make our own washable kit," said public relations officer Karen Gschwend. "Anne McMurray created the pattern, and Dr Janet Stanford took the trip to George to purchase the metres and metres of fabric."
Once the fabric was acquired, a team of sewers comprising Dieterich, Joan Grey, Jacky Rhode and Jennifer Galant set out to make the PPE.
"Our PPE was made, packed and ready for use, and colour-coded so that staff know which colour is their size for expediency," Gschwend said.
"Dave McCrae helped us with the visors we needed too." She also noted that staff are trained in "donning and doffing" the isolation kit and in safely washing and maintaining the equipment.
Hospice staff in their locally made scrubs.
Hospice staff in their locally made scrubs.
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