As Transmission Rates Fall, Use of Eye Protection May Change

Posted on March 3, 2022 by Kari Everson

As case counts are starting to decrease in Minnesota, questions about eye protection arise. The level of community transmission guides the use of universal eye protection. Those individuals in counties with high to substantial transmission rates are more likely to have contact with someone who is asymptomatic and positive for COVID-19.

The CDC’s Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic recommends the use of eye protection during all "patient care encounters" in counties with substantial or high transmission. It is up to the individual organization to determine what constitutes a "patient care encounter." Caution is recommended when determining the definition of a "patient care encounter." There are definite instances that are clearly "patient care encounters," such as crossing the threshold of a resident room or apartment to provide resident care. Other activities, such as walking through the hallways when there is the potential to be stopped by a resident to have a discussion or render assistance, are a little less clear. In this instance, the necessity to don/doff, cleanse and store eye protection appropriately between encounters may be more complex and leave the community open to a higher risk of regulatory citation as each donning, doffing, storage, and cleaning activity. If these things are done incorrectly, it presents a potential transmission possibility and a potential regulatory citation.

The Minnesota Department of Health's (MDH) document COVID-19 Personal protective Equipment and Source Control Grids also uses community transmission rates and provides two helpful tables. The first table indicates which PPE should be worn when working with suspected or confirmed positive residents and when working with residents who are not suspected or confirmed to have COVID based upon community transmission level. The second table indicates when visitors and residents should wear facemasks based upon their vaccination status and the community transmission level. 

These documents should help organizations make decisions on policies and procedures on eye protection and source control as county transmission rates change.