Messages from the Directorate General of Health (DGS)
We already know that since July 31, 2020, the General Directorate of Health launched an appeal to all health professionals in the "outpatient" sector, like us Chiropodists-Podiatrists, to restock their PPE (medical protective equipment).
The DGS stated that in the period from September 28 to October 4, 2020, Public Health began a procedure to stop the distribution process for masks, gloves, gowns, hairnets and glasses. Indeed, the distribution system for this personal protective equipment no longer concerns our profession since October 5. Since that date, the chiropodist-podiatrist must independently supply himself with PPE, and must approach his usual suppliers.
The ONPP (National Order of Chiropodists-Podiatrists) and the DGS strongly urge all healthcare professionals concerned to restock as quickly as possible, so as not to find themselves in difficulty later on. In particular, they insist on restocking on surgical and FFP2 masks, which as we know, are essential.
The different types of masks:
- So-called 'civilian' or 'general public' masks: these are the masks that can be found in supermarkets or other stores, which do not comply with the standards adopted by the medical world. These are often masks sold cheaply, of poor quality.
- Surgical masks: This is a mask designed to stop particles projected by the wearer. It can help protect against projections from the patient. The standards concerning these masks are governed by European Directive 93/42/EEC relating to Medical Devices. They meet a Standard EN 14683 which evaluates the effectiveness of the filter material in the direction of expiration.
There are 3 types of surgical masks:
• Type I: bacterial filtration efficiency > 95%
• Type II: bacterial filtration efficiency > 98%
• Type IIR: bacterial filtration efficiency > 98% (splash-resistant)
