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Hi Monkika,
This may be of assistance:
Chapter 7: Staff health and safety https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-08/the_aged_care_ipc_guide_-_chapter_7.pdf
Regards Carrie
Hi Jewel,
Perhaps this statement will assist to answer:
Health services and other settings where the risk of COVID-19 transmission and impact is particularly significant (i.e. RACF) are recommended to take actions based on local risk assessment. Taken from: Increase in COVID-19 activity – https://www.health.vic.gov.au/health-alerts/increase-covid-19-activity
Although surgical masks are recommended for use in Victoria as a safety measure against RTI transmission, the risk assessment and decision are currently up to the provider or service to make.
Infection Prevention and Control Expert Group – Guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers in the context of COVID-19: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/covid-19-infection-prevention-control-guidelines/resources – provides a good risk assessment process to assist with this.
The following links provide recommendations around PPE and masks (for Victoria) to assist with decision making:
Personal protective equipment (PPE) –
https://www.health.vic.gov.au/covid-19-infection-prevention-control-guidelines/personal-protective-equipment-ppe – information on mask use
COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines References – info on masks and respirator standards for decision making –
https://www.health.vic.gov.au/covid-19-infection-prevention-control-guidelines
Better Health Channel – Face masks and COVID-19 –
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/covid-19/face-masks-covid-19The Aged Care Infection Prevention and Control Guide addresses the use of masks and risk assessment – https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/publications-and-resources/resource-library/aged-care-infection-prevention-and-control-guide as does the National IPC Guideline.
Hi Karen,
Its called The Singh Thattha technique
There is some information out there.
AS/NZS 1715 requires that employees be clean-shaven the day of the fit test and prohibits any facial hair in areas where the respirator comes into contact with the face
In summary, there are no exceptions regarding facial hair and any tight-fitting respirator (negative or positive pressure) to comply with AS/NZS 1715.
https://respfit.org.au/new-as-nzs-1715-ruling-document-from-standards-australia/Victorian trial:
The Singh Thattha technique
https://www.health.vic.gov.au/quality-safety-service/the-singh-thattha-trialRMH-developed mask technique given green light across Victoria
https://www.thermh.org.au/news/rmh-developed-mask-technique-given-green-light-across-victoria#:~:text=The%20Victorian%20trial%20follows%20other,approved%20for%20use%20across%20Victoria.Research: (including participation from NSW)
Under-mask beard covers achieve an adequate seal with tight-fitting disposable respirators using quantitative fit testing
https://wslhd.intersearch.com.au/wslhdjspui/bitstream/1/4616/1/Bhatia-2022-Under-mask%20beard%20covers%20achieve%20an.pdfProspective comprehensive evaluation of an elastic-band beard cover for filtering facepiece respirators in healthcare workers
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10782203/Use may be jurisdictional.
Hope this helps.
Regards Carrie
We are in metro Melbourne
Staff only wear masks in the first 3 days of >2 residents testing positive whilst spread is ascertained and of course when providing care to symptomatic or positive residents.
Visitors are only encouraged to wear masks when visiting a symptomatic or positive resident (it is at their own risk)
Our RAT supply from government is running low, but at this stage we offer to relatives and staff until we run out.Vanessa Watkins
RN, Quality Manager & IPC Lead
Donwood Community & Aged Care Services11 Diana Street, Croydon 3136
9845 8509 (Mon – Thur)
Hello,
We don’t RAT our visitors on our mixed ward (Acute/Aged Care) unless there is a higher incidence in the community.
Masks for staff – No unless we are in an outbreak or there is a higher incidence of staff furlough.
Masks for Visitors – it is encouraged for immunocompromised patients or visitors as barrier precautions OR whilst in an outbreak.
We supply RATs for visitors in outbreaks or patients who present to our UCC with respiratory symptoms.
Cheers
Leia Colbert
Infection Prevention and Control, Clinical Nurse Consultant
Orbost Regional Health
104 Boundary Road, Orbost Vic 3888
Phone (03) 5154 6707Hi Andryna,
In the southwest of Victoria, we are no longer wearing masks unless in Outbreak.
We are only testing visitors in high peak Covid-19 or other virus in community and yes, we supply to them.
Hope this helps,
Jane
Jane Wilkeson
Infection Prevention Coordinator
ANUM Perioperative Services
03 5232 5120 | 0429 137 279
2-28 Connor Street, Colac, Victoria 3250 jwilkeson@cah.vic.gov.au
Quality Care Close to Home
Hi Milja
Just a query: Is the resident colonised or have an acute infection?
Retesting would be GP led and based on prev testing dates.
Below are a few links to assist.
‘Aged Care IPC in Focus’ has a great ‘managing MRO in aged care’ presentation, this will assist to manage all MRO: Link https://www.acipc.org.au/members/ipc-in-aged-care/
QLD provide a Residential Aged Care MRO Guide: https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0031/719068/mros-info-sheet-residential-care-facilities.pdfIn the aged care setting a risk assessment is required to determine the precautions- as per Aged Care IPC Guide: https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/infection-prevention-and-control/infection-prevention-and-control-aged-care
Consider with risk assessment:
If the urine can be contained – resident is continent, or has incontinence aids, or has IDC – transmission risk is reduced.
Isolation is not required if urine can be contained. Mental health must also be a consideration where risk is reduced.
Standard precautions are always in place.
Contact and (if droplet risk) droplet precautions should be applied only when managing urine (toileting, bathing, aid change etc), or handling items contaminated by urine.
Any clothing or linen items contaminated by urine should be placed in a washing soluble bag and linen bag – colour coded infectious – for transport
Items for disposal which are contaminated with urine should be placed in clinical waste – including PPE
Daily room/bathroom clean/disinfection would be required – TGA approved to MRSA
Encourage and assist with resident hand hygieneRegards Carrie
Hi Anonymous,
Here is a Victorian compost guide – I note that it is 2012 – but still current.
Composting organic waste from healthcare facilities: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/publications/composting-organic-waste-from-healthcare-facilities
May be worth asking site maintenance/gardening teams to see if there are any local guides or requirements.
Regards Carrie
Hi Anonymous
Consider:
Device Cleaning Process
• Devices should be cleaned/disinfected at commencement and completion of every shift, and post use if soiled
• Devices are to be wiped over completely (front, back sides) with the wipe. A new wipe is to be used for each device.
• Leave for a couple of minutes to dry prior to using or storing the deviceManufacturer’s instructions will guide on the appropriate cleaning chemical. Information identified has included either a neutral wipe, 2:1 neutral detergent/disinfectant wipe or alcohol wipe (with pre cleaning)
Regards Carrie
Hi Rosanna,
Here are a couple of web links that will assist to answer your question.
-Core strategies for VRE prevention and control: https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-12/core_strategies_for_vre_prevention_and_control_03_12_19.pdf
-TGA Disinfectants and sterilants: https://www.tga.gov.au/how-we-regulate/supply-therapeutic-good/supply-other-therapeutic-goods/disinfectants-and-sterilantsThis may assist with cleaning structures….
Environmental cleaning practices in small health service organisations: https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-06/environmental_cleaning_practices_in_small_health_organisations.pdf
All the best
Carrie
Hi Jewel,
Thanks for sharing.
Consideration of the caddy going into room to room – would this pose risk of infection transmission caused by a contaminated caddy where residents may be in an incubation period, or the environment has not been cleaned of all organisms as example?
Perhaps additional precautions could be considered:
Considerations for suspected or confirmed infectious rooms /areas- i.e. not for use?
Consider a cleaning regime/process for the caddy?Perhaps refer to the following docs to guide ABHR placement and tips for compliance:
Aged Care IPC Guide -Product placement pg. 50+
https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-08/The-Aged-Care-Infection-Prevention-and-Control-Guide.pdfNational Hand Hygiene Initiative Implementation Guide – Product placement pg. 10.
https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-07/nhhi_implementation_guide_july_2023.pdfThe use of this document would need to be adjusted to suit aged care – consideration to ABHR placement should be risk assessed, especially in areas where there are residents with cognitive deficit.
Consideration for personal clip-on ABHR is another thought – but expensive.
Education on 5 hand moments, quizzes, puzzles and cross words make HH learning a bit more fun – agree with signage as reminders.
Is there potential to place PPE supplies more readily available for staff – in corridor cupboards for example? Easy access to aprons as well as gloves is great practice.
Hope that helps
Carrie
Thanks Luis,
I think this statement would need to be evidence based referenced.
Thanks kindly
Carrie
Hi Luis,
Thank you
Some information for consideration:
Not all hand sanitisers can be promoted for healthcare
The only types of hand sanitisers that can be legally promoted as being suitable for use in medical or health services are those hand sanitisers that are:
-included in the ARTG
-captured by the Exclusion Determination.
For a hand sanitiser to be advertised as being able to kill a specific organism (e.g. E.coli) or as being virucidal, it must be included in the ARTG. In addition, the TGA must have approved the use of this type of claim in relation to the hand sanitiser being advertised.Australian TGA health care approved hand rubs use alcohol based
-Ethanol hand sanitisers
-Isopropyl alcohol hand sanitisers
-ChlorhexidineMonograph link: https://www.tga.gov.au/otc-medicine-monograph-hand-sanitisers
Regards Carrie
Hi Louis,
I have not been able to find too much information on this sorry.
Victoria Department of Health have a health care bathroom guide:
https://www.health.vic.gov.au/dementia-friendly-environments/bathrooms-Shower screens stop water from spreading, important if showers are next to toilets. Shower curtains are better than fixed or rigid screens but are harder to clean.
-People value privacy. Half-height shower curtains have privacy for those seated and keep staff members drier.
-Grab rails in showers should be effectively colour-contrasted against walls for good visibility.The AHF Guidelines state that curtains are optional depending on the IPC policy https://www.healthfacilityguidelines.com.au/component/adl-bathroom-1
They are factored into their data and layout sheetsThere are antimicrobial shower curtains that can be purchased – but these still require cleaning.
The risk of potential reservoir of microbial pathogens in an aged care facility or home care would be lower if single use bathroom. Other risk considerations may be trip or falls hazards or resident/client holding on to the curtain for balance if the curtain and brackets are not collapsable.
Hope that helps
Carrie
Hi Anonymous,
Please see information on gloving on pg 59 of the Aged Care IPC Guide: https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-08/The-Aged-Care-Infection-Prevention-and-Control-Guide.pdf
“Vinyl gloves are not recommended for the clinical care of older people.”
Im not sure about the risk statistics – but this is a clear answer for non-use.
Hope that helps Carrie
