Updated 1/18/2022
Who should wear protective eyewear?
Protective eyewear (e.g., goggles, face shields and trauma safety glasses) is recommended, but optional, for providing care of every patient. Protective eyewear is required for those involved in care of COVID-positive or suspected COVID patients or when splash protection is needed and/or for many AGPs. Patient-facing faculty and staff can either wear protective eyewear and/or be behind Plexiglass/plastic barriers to provide eye protection. For more information reference the PPE Clinical Procedures Table.
What protective eyewear should be worn?
Protective eyewear includes goggles, face shields, and safety glasses with extensions to cover the side of the eyes (e.g., trauma safety glasses). The CDC recommends goggles and face shields over safety glasses, as not all safety glasses provide appropriate eye protection from all splashes and sprays. Safety glasses with large gaps between glasses and the face and should not be used. Additionally, your own glasses do not provide appropriate protection and should not be used. National Jewish Health distributes two kinds of face shields: reusable face shields that are primarily used for AGPs and disposable ones that will be available for non-AGP clinical use.
How do I obtain protective eyewear?
You should obtain your eyewear in your clinical location or from your supervisor. Please reuse and be gentle with your eye protection. You should wear the eye protection (goggles, face shield or safety glasses) until they break. If they break please return them to your clinical area or Central Supply so that we can replace parts and or evaluate if they can be fixed.
Can I bring my own protective eyewear?
National Jewish Health will provide employees with protective eyewear. However, employees are allowed to bring their own eyewear protection, as long as the personal items provide appropriate eye protection and meet the above criteria. The employee is responsible for maintaining their own eyewear that they bring to National Jewish Health.
How should I clean my protective eyewear?
The protective eyewear does not need to be cleaned in between patients for non-AGP use. They should be cleaned at the beginning and end of each shift and/or upon leaving the clinical area. Disinfectant spray and/or wipes should be used to clean face shields, and goggles per the manufacturer’s instructions. If performing procedures on COVID-positive or suspected COVID patients or when splash protection is needed, the eye protection should be cleaned between each patient. Once cleaned, you may wear your protective eyewear in non-clinical areas around National Jewish Health.
Where should I store my protective eyewear?
You should store eyewear in a larger brown paper bag for the face shield and smaller brown paper bag for goggles and smaller glasses between use. Protective eyewear may be stored in the clinical area or a personal office space.
How could I get prescription safety glasses?
National Jewish Health will provide $140 toward the purchase of a pair of prescription safety glasses. Employees must obtain a current prescription prior to requesting a personalized “SAFETY EYEWEAR AUTHORIZATION FORM” from the Director of Safety to be used at your nearest LensCrafters store.
If you have any questions, please email us at COVIDEC@njhealth.org
