COVID-19 pathway signage for operating theatres

Abstract

On 20 August 2020, Public Health England released a new version of the ‘COVID-19: Guidance for the remobilisation of services within health and care settings: infection prevention and control recommendations’, superseding that of 18 June 2020. In this document, the infection prevention and control principles determine that the treatment, care and support of patients are to be managed in three COVID-19 pathways. These are: ‘high risk’, ‘medium risk’ and ‘low risk’. In the operating theatre, where procedures may be urgent or planned, and where various surgical and anaesthetic procedures generate airborne particles (aerosols), it is crucial to communicate the infection prevention and control recommendations in a way that is easily understood and followed by all healthcare professionals. The theatre team at one hospital in the East of England produced local alternating signage to communicate the COVID-19 pathway risk during cases in theatres. This signage – named the ‘COVID-19 Flag’ – is placed outside of the individual theatre to ensure that staff are informed of the infection risk with the cases underway. Furthermore, it is a quick visual guide to be used in conjunction with national guidance and local protocols for appropriate decisions regarding the treatment and care of patients in the operating theatres.

A Qualitative Study of Hospital Interior Environments during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Research has shown that a high level of visibility enhances staff awareness and team communication [ 25 ]. During the pandemic, hospitals put up signage, called the ‘COVID-19 flag’, which provided a quick visual guide [ 26 ]. Even though many studies have reported the benefits of good wayfinding signs in hospitals [ 27 ], more studies are needed to establish the scientifically validated benefit of an intuitive signage for caution.…”