World News: University Hospital Basel in Switzerland Brings Back Masks for Staff and Visitors to Keep Staff from Falling Ill at Once. Lessons for Hospital Staff Rooms
Last updated: 9 Nov 2026 | 10 Views |
World News: University Hospital Basel in Switzerland Brings Back Masks for Staff and Visitors to Keep Staff from Falling Ill at Once. Lessons for Hospital Staff Rooms
From Switzerland: in early January 2025 University Hospital Basel again required masks for staff and visitors with patient contact after respiratory infections rose over Christmas and New Year, to protect patients and keep staff from falling ill at once. Staff rooms and staff areas in Thai hospitals deserve attention.
The True Story: Protecting Staff to Protect Patients
Swiss broadcaster SRF reported on 3 January 2025 that University Hospital Basel (USB) again required staff and visitors with patient contact to wear masks, expected to last until the end of the flu season around mid-March.
Nicolas Drechsler, hospital spokesperson, said the hospital had reached its threshold, and the rule aimed to protect vulnerable patients and keep too many staff from falling ill at once, while Dr Sarah Tschudin Sutter, chief of infectious diseases, said about 40 patients in Basel were hospitalised with respiratory viruses.
The Key Lesson: Staff Rooms Are Where Masks Come Off
Thai hospital staff wear masks with patients but take them off in staff rooms, at meals and in meetings. Points to watch are:
- Nurses' rest rooms where several eat together
- Handover rooms with close contact
- On-call rooms used across shifts
- Shared microwaves and fridges everyone touches
- Sick staff reluctant to leave colleagues short
How Flu Spreads
According to the World Health Organization, seasonal influenza spreads easily where people gather, such as schools and nursing homes. It spreads through droplets when people cough or sneeze, and through hands that touch contaminated surfaces and then the eyes, nose or mouth. Most people recover within a week, but young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with chronic illness are at risk of severe disease. Influenza is an enveloped virus, which suitable disinfectants can inactivate.
Risk Register for Hospital Staff Rooms and Areas
- Staff unmask and eat together: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: stagger breaks and space tables. Owner: ward head
- Sick staff keep working: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: backup rosters and supported sick leave. Owner: nursing department
- On-call rooms shared across shifts: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: change linen every shift. Owner: housekeeping
- Shared staff room appliances: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wipe microwaves and fridges daily. Owner: housekeeping
- Staff rooms not disinfected: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: fog and ozone-treat staff rooms in rounds. Owner: infection control
Ways to Reduce Flu Risk in Hospital Staff Areas
- Set thresholds for outbreak mask rules
- Stagger meal breaks
- Space tables in staff rooms
- Keep backup rosters for sick staff
- Change on-call linen every shift
- Vaccinate all staff
- Fog and ozone-treat staff rooms in rounds
How ULV Disinfection Fogging Helps
The World Health Disinfection disinfection service uses ULV fogging machines that turn the disinfectant into a fine mist. It settles across the whole area, including corners, curtains, upholstery and surfaces that hand wiping cannot reach.
- Whole-area coverage without relying on wiping spot by spot
- Quick return to use, typically about 30 minutes after fogging
- Uses Chemgene HLD4H, which meets EN 14476 for virucidal activity according to the product page
- The team wears full protective equipment, so owners and staff do not take the risk themselves
- Report and photos after the job for customers, management or authorities
- Tax invoice with 3% withholding tax for companies and agencies
Ozone Treatment for Closed Rooms and Stuffy Spaces
The World Health Disinfection ozone treatment service uses machines that generate ozone gas from oxygen in the air. It suits closed rooms such as meeting rooms, bedrooms, classrooms, sick bays and vans, helping reduce germs in the air and on surfaces and removing stale odours. Ozone breaks back down into oxygen after treatment, leaving no residue.
- Works alongside disinfection fogging: spray or wipe surfaces first, then use ozone for the air and corners of closed rooms
- No people or pets in the room during treatment: the team seals the room and runs a timer
- Ventilate after treatment before normal use resumes
- Machines tested by Intertek, according to WHD's service page
- Ideal after someone has been ill, such as recovered patients' rooms, shared bedrooms and shuttle vans
Before and After
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who did Basel's hospital require to mask? A: Staff and visitors with patient contact, until about mid-March, per the 3 January 2025 report.
Q: Why protect staff? A: To protect vulnerable patients and keep many staff from falling ill at once.
Q: Does the fogging disinfectant work on flu? A: The team uses Chemgene HLD4H, which meets EN 14476 for virucidal activity according to the product page, and influenza is an enveloped virus that suitable disinfectants can inactivate. Fogging does not replace vaccination or handwashing.
Q: Can I enter the room right after ozone treatment? A: No one should be in the room during treatment. Ventilate afterwards before normal use; the team will advise the right time for the room size.
Q: Can hospitals get a tax invoice? A: Yes. Tax invoices are issued and 3% withholding tax is supported. Call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.
Related Links and Sources
Prevent Flu with Disinfection Fogging and Ozone Treatment
The real news from Switzerland shows protecting staff protects patients. Hospitals that look after staff areas keep teams healthy all season. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for nurses' rooms, handover rooms and locker rooms, and the ozone treatment service for on-call rooms and staff lounges. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.
Keywords: Switzerland flu, mandatory masks, hospital staff, staff room, hospital disinfection, staff room ozone treatment
