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Hi Noleen,
Has formal notification been issued to all healthcare facilities including
aged care facilities as in Victoria?
Is the information available online at the DHHS VIC Coronavirus web page?
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
I have had a look bit dont see it anywhere? Clean advice needs to be
available in a public forum (i.e. DHHS VIC Coronavirus web page) not just a
members forum.
Many thanks in anticipation.
Glenys
Glenys Harrington
Consultant
Infection Control Consultancy (ICC)
P.O. Box 6385
Melbourne
Australia, 3004
M: +61 404816434
Bennett, Noleen
Hello all
The Victorian DHHS Infection Control cell recently provided the following
advice about showering COVID positive patients/residents
Scientific Background
Shower water and aerosolised shower mist are a potential media of infection,
as showering may produce bioaerosols. However, this has largely been proven
in relation to specific pathogens such as legionella species and certain
fungal species.1
SARS-CoV-2 has been isolated from wastewater in a shower siphon in
quarantined households. It has been hypothesised that aerosolisation of
virus from wastewater may be possible. However, this risk is largely
theoretical and it is not known if virus found in wastewater is viable.2
1.Prussin AJ, Marr LC. Sources of airborne microorganisms in the built
environment. Microbiome. 2015 Dec 1;3(1):78.
2.Dhla M, Wilbring G, Schulte B, Kmmerer BM, Diegmann C, Sib E,
Richter E, Haag A, Engelhart S, Eis-Hbinger AM, Exner M. SARS-CoV-2 in
environmental samples of quarantined households. medRxiv. 2020 Jan 1.
Interpretation
In the shower environment, the water stream may generate droplets that arise
from the patients skin. It is plausible that infected patients may have
skin contamination with SARS-CoV-2. Shower cubicles may have poor to limited
ventilation and showering may wet masks being worn by healthcare workers
potentially disrupting mask integrity.
Assessment & Guidance
*Showering of COVID-19 infected cases is not in itself a high-risk
activity. The risks of infection transmission are largely theoretical.
*The risk of infection transmission can best be mitigated by using a
gentle stream of water from a handheld shower head, which would reduce the
risk of droplet aerosolisation.
*Healthcare workers should wear a mask and face shield. The mask
should be replaced after the shower.
*Individuals who are able to shower independently or who require
minimal assistance with shower set-up should be allowed to shower at an
allocated time.
Regards,
Noleen
Noleen Bennett
Infection Control Consultant
1.VICNISS Coordinating Centre/ National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship
Peter Doherty Institute for Infections and Immunity
792 Elizabeth St Melbourne VIC 3000 T: + 61 3 93429333
2. Department of Nursing, Melbourne School of Health Sciences
The University of Melbourne
Tanya Hempshall (DHHS)
Thanks for the question
I need advice for this too. Some facilities asking if appropriate to use
plastic aprons under PPE gown when showering clients and confirmation if
both needed to be single use or if plastic apron underneath could be washed
in washing machine.
Tanya Hempshall
DHHS COVID -19 Outreach Team Registered Nurse
COVID-19 Public Health Division
1300 651 160 | 0429131756 |
tanya.hempshall@dhhs.vic.gov.au
DHHS-M-COVID-19-IMT-Outreach-Team@dhhsvicgovau.onmicrosoft.com
Department of Health and Human Services | 50 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000
> On Behalf Of Christine Giles
Could I please get some advice regarding
1.Showering or not showering covid residents in a RACF setting
2.Should Overshoes be worn during showering and does anyone have a
system in place for donning and doffing with overshoes?
Thankyou
Chris
Chris Giles
0439 437 169
T: (02) 4736 9500 F: (02) 4736 9599
E: Christine.Giles@anglicare.org.au
W:
http://www.anglicare.org.au
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