Mobility and exercise equipment

4.7

The use of equipment should be carefully considered and discussed with local infection monitoring and prevention service staff before being used with patients with COVID-19 to ensure that it can be properly decontaminated.

4.8

Use equipment that can be single patient use. For example, use elastic resistance bands rather than distributing hand weights.

4.9

Larger equipment (e.g., mobility aids, ergometers, chairs and tilt tables) must be easily decontaminated. Avoid use of specialised equipment, unless necessary, for basic functional tasks. For example, stretcher chairs or tilt tables may be deemed appropriate if they can be decontaminated with appropriate cleaning and are indicated for progression of sitting/standing.

4.10

When mobilisation, exercise or rehabilitation interventions are indicated:

· Plan well

· Identify/use the minimum number of staff required to safely perform the activity

· Ensure that all equipment is available and working before entering rooms

· Ensure that all equipment is appropriately cleaned or decontaminated

· If equipment needs to be shared among patients, clean and disinfect between each patient use

· Specific staff training for cleaning of equipment within isolation rooms may be required

· Whenever possible, prevent the movement of equipment between infectious and non-infectious areas

· Whenever possible, keep dedicated equipment within the isolation zones, but avoid storing extraneous equipment within the patient’s room

4.11

When performing activities with ventilated patients or patients with a tracheostomy, ensure that airway security is considered and maintained (e.g., a dedicated airway person to prevent inadvertent disconnection of ventilator connections/tubing).