Institutions for persons with disabilities The commissions, however, also reported about very positive cases in which institutions recruited a hygiene specialist or organised hygiene training to be able to deal with difficulties in the best possible way. Example of good practice According to the commissions, hygiene training at least should be guaranteed nationwide. Moreover, the owners and operators of the institutions and facilities should be given clear instructions on how to deal with suspected COVID-19 cases and sufficient tests should be provided for the residents and staff. This is also relevant for future crises. However, even when there was sufficient PPE there were grounds for criticism. Some protective measures were generally perceived as excessive by those affected. For example, in one facility residents had to wear a mask when going outside, even for a walk on a lonely country path. Excessive protective measures in some cases Some institutions responded to criticism by the NPM merely with the remark that particularly high safety precautions are important because persons with increased health risks live or work in the facilities. The obligation to wear a mask by the staff was perceived as obstructive in care work. The cared for persons are thus barely able to read the facial expressions of their caregivers which means that an important means of communication was lost. X Owners and operators of institutions shall be supported in the procurement of PPE by the public administration. Relevant precautions could be made as part of a civil defence project. X Authorities should give owners and operators of institutions clear guidelines as quickly as possible. 2.4.7 Access to medical care Persons with disabilities shall have the same access to medical care in the event of COVID-19 infection as persons without impairments. Disability shall not result in being at a disadvantage when it comes to medical care. In no way shall a disability be an exclusion criterion in the event of a possible triage system. More specialisation and under certain circumstances a higher allocation of resources can be necessary to enable equality here. Ensure equal access For persons with considerable and complex assistance needs, the trusted persons who support them should also be allowed into the hospital. Needless to say, the desire and willingness to receive treatment shall be respected. The NPM follows the relevant requirements of Lebenshilfe Österreich. 96