Wear your ski gear if you need to go to hospital

[lillythesavage]

I had a minor op Saturday morning, had to wait in a bed on a ward for 4 hours or so, it was freezing, put my jeans and coat back on with the gown and net pants ffs.

I kid you not, the Anesthetist sitting above me on the table, waiting for the surgeon, was wearing a puffer jacket, a thick scarf and one of those hats with flaps over the ears.

Covid related apparently, pumping fresh air around the building, this was a BMI hospital, I assume others are the same.

[Gordon Bennett]

Seems excessive. Surely hygiene and fresh air was paramount in hospitals pre-covid - its not a new thing?  Sounds like they're using covid as an excuse to not put 50p in the meter.

[lamboman]

Was his outfit PPE compliant?

[lillythesavage]

Was his outfit PPE compliant?

No, none of them were, outdoor coats or fleeces on everyone, I was not opened up so maybe they could get away with it, reception was ok, but the ward and theatre room were freezing.

I mentioned it to the wife, she says her office is the same when she rarely goes, suits her, she likes the cold, but every one else are wearing coats, she said something to do with public buildings needing to do his. Goes against H&S rules on workplaces I would have thought.

[lillythesavage]

I should clarify, they had the scrubs and hair things on, as normal, but coats fleeces and scarves too, except one overweight guy in the theatre.

Tbh I could not blame them, they put two heavy blankets over me before knocking me out and waiting for the surgeon, it was beyond cold, the pain when the shit went in my blue hand had me wincing and moaning, 

[mr.bluesky]

I also had a minor surgical procedure on Saturday.  The temperature was fine at the hospital I went to. 

[lillythesavage]

I also had a minor surgical procedure on Saturday.  The temperature was fine at the hospital I went to. 

Lucky you, mate this place was freezing.

[mr.bluesky]

Lucky you, mate this place was freezing.

To be fair I was in and out within an hour and a half.

[anonymouse72]

Surprised to hear about the outdoor clothing being worn in a clinical environment. I'm sure that thier Infection Prevention and Control lead would be delighted to hear this.

[lillythesavage]

Surprised to hear about the outdoor clothing being worn in a clinical environment. I'm sure that thier Infection Prevention and Control lead would be delighted to hear this.

Well I will not be complaining, they did the job, sorted my back out and got me out of the cold quick, the long wait was because I turned up last and the old girl in front had complications, I doubt they could work in that cold without it.

[paper7]

Goes against H&S rules on workplaces I would have thought.
No, unfortunately, I think it doesn't. There is not a minimum 'working' temperature, but just a maximum one. Personally, I'd think they get 'round the rules' whatever.

[anonymouse72]

The minimum working temperature is 16 degrees. There is however no maximum one. There are rules regarding uniform in a clinical environment though to prevent cross infection.

[Camargue]

External Link/Members Only

[lillythesavage]

The minimum working temperature is 16 degrees. There is however no maximum one. There are rules regarding uniform in a clinical environment though to prevent cross infection.

I think rules have gone out of the window with Covid, for schools too if they need to have the windows open, tbf I avoided going previously and if I can get in and out with less risk of covid then I am happy.

I asked the wife about the office again, she does think it could be below 16, they were all wearing coats too.

[Doc Holliday]

Did you have a General Anaesthetic?

[lillythesavage]

Did you have a General Anaesthetic?

If you mean knocked out completely, yes.

[Blackpool Rock]

The minimum working temperature is 16 degrees. There is however no maximum one. There are rules regarding uniform in a clinical environment though to prevent cross infection.

Yeah that is what I was thinking but these places are always too fucking hot, artificial heat gives me a headache all day and I just want to sleep 

There did used to be a law about maximum workplace temperature in that you couldn't use an artificial heat source to heat it over 19 degrees whereas heat from a manufacturing process or machine didn't count.
Think it was brought in around the 1973 winter of discontent to try and save power

[Doc Holliday]

If you mean knocked out completely, yes.

There is no way anyone in theatre would be wearing their own overclothes, but everyone would be in scrubs (of different colours) and also different levels of PPE depending on their role within theatre.

As you had a GA you would not have witnessed theatre dress, as you would almost certainly have been induced in a separate anaesthetic room, before being transferred to theatre and then post op regained consciousness in the recovery facility.

Clothing is less stringent outside of theatre and in the anaesthetic room, but hospital staff would still normally be wearing scrubs. There is an option for some visitors to wear a gown over their clothes for a short term visit.

Can you clarify these two descriptions. Were they wearing scrubs over or under their jackets? Did the anaesthetist have a theatre cap over his hat with flaps?

I kid you not, the Anesthetist sitting above me on the table, waiting for the surgeon, was wearing a puffer jacket, a thick scarf and one of those hats with flaps over the ears.

I should clarify, they had the scrubs and hair things on, as normal, but coats fleeces and scarves too, except one overweight guy in the theatre.

Temperature control is fairly strict in theatres and each one will have its own air circulation system controlling air exchange rate, temperature, humidity and filtration. Temperatures are usually maintained at between 21C to 23C but should not drop below 21. This is considered optimal for staff working and is lower than the usual hospital temperature elsewhere, where 23C is a desired minimum. Because of the lower temperature in theatre it is less ideal for the patient and blankets may be used to maintain body temperature for safety reasons. This is very important for the patient and is monitored.

Theatre suites may seem a little 'chilly' on entering in comparison to outside of them, but 21C would not require scarves, jackets and hats to be worn. If there is a technical issue with the air control system including temperature maintenance , the theatre would not be in use.

I'm struggling to explain your experience?

[lillythesavage]

There is no way anyone in theatre would be wearing their own overclothes, but everyone would be in scrubs (of different colours) and also different levels of PPE depending on their role within theatre.

As you had a GA you would not have witnessed theatre dress, as you would almost certainly have been induced in a separate anaesthetic room, before being transferred to theatre and then post op regained consciousness in the recovery facility.

Clothing is less stringent outside of theatre and in the anaesthetic room, but hospital staff would still normally be wearing scrubs. There is an option for some visitors to wear a gown over their clothes for a short term visit.

Can you clarify these two descriptions. Were they wearing scrubs over or under their jackets? Did the anaesthetist have a theatre cap over his hat with flaps?

Temperature control is fairly strict in theatres and each one will have its own air circulation system controlling air exchange rate, temperature, humidity and filtration. Temperatures are usually maintained at between 21C to 23C but should not drop below 21. This is considered optimal for staff working and is lower than the usual hospital temperature elsewhere, where 23C is a desired minimum. Because of the lower temperature in theatre it is less ideal for the patient and blankets may be used to maintain body temperature for safety reasons. This is very important for the patient and is monitored.

Theatre suites may seem a little 'chilly' on entering in comparison to outside of them, but 21C would not require scarves, jackets and hats to be worn. If there is a technical issue with the air control system including temperature maintenance , the theatre would not be in use.

I'm struggling to explain your experience?

I did witness theatre dress, every last one of them, already detailed a few of them, I was only knocked out when the surgeon arrived, I heard him checking my details and the last thing I heard was him checking the procedure. It was a good 20 minutes before they put the shit in my freezing blue hand. I was covered in a blanket the same as on the bed in the ward, and a much heavier one.

There was only one guy only wearing scrubs, and he had plenty of insulation  , the rest had coats, some scarves and the drug pusher was wearing both and a hat, as was another pregnant looking woman.

No way was the ward where I was in bed or the theatre  21, not a hope in hell, I sat in reception for a while waiting for my mate to pick me up, that was fine but I was dressed with a big parka on. I put my jeans and coat on in the ward eventually, so did the younger guy in the next bed.

They did not hang around once I came round either, gave me a coffee and sandwich, asked me to stand and walk, get dressed and leave when you are ready, did not need asking twice   .

[Doc Holliday]

I did witness theatre dress,

Your eye witness statement seems all over the place?

No, none of them were, outdoor coats or fleeces on everyone,

I should clarify, they had the scrubs and hair things on, as normal, but coats fleeces and scarves too
 

There was only one guy only wearing scrubs, the rest had coats, some scarves and the drug pusher was wearing both and a hat, as was another pregnant looking woman.

There would be nobody in theatre wearing coats, scarves and hats. All would be wearing scrubs. You would have been 'asleep' before entering the theatre.

[willie loman]

i was in for a scan to check for a possible clot, 3 months ago, and it was very cold in the hospital, something to do with covid, bus there was also freezing, windows open to save us from covid, small price to pay for the millions of deaths we have been saved from.

[lillythesavage]

Your eye witness statement seems all over the place?


There would be nobody in theatre wearing coats, scarves and hats. All would be wearing scrubs. You would have been 'asleep' before entering the theatre.

I walked into the theatre ffs, they put the thing in my hand before going in, but nothing in it for 20 minutes. Everyone in the bloody place was wearing outdoor things.

[Blackpool Rock]

I walked into the theatre ffs, they put the thing in my hand before going in, but nothing in it for 20 minutes. Everyone in the bloody place was wearing outdoor things.

Are you sure you were in for an operation and not watching a play   

[lillythesavage]

Are you sure you were in for an operation and not watching a play   

Sure, and only a spinal jab, but I could still walk.

[paper7]

The minimum working temperature is 16 degrees. There is however no maximum one. There are rules regarding uniform in a clinical environment though to prevent cross infection.

16 Degrees?? My employer must have been well below that loads of times bc I was always cold!

[Blackpool Rock]

16 Degrees?? My employer must have been well below that loads of times bc I was always cold!

It does depend what the job/workplace setting is though, 13 degrees was stated as being OK if the job was manual as you generate body heat whereas sat in an office at a desk it would feel cold but the employer has a certain amount of time to get it up to temperature