Commissioner Janet Anderson PSM has warned operators to stay alert and on guard against potential COVID-19 outbreaks in their services, saying the sector can’t afford to be complacent.
You can download the 88-page ‘Outbreak management planning in aged care’ guide here.
Ms Anderson (pictured above) emphasised that the sector must do everything possible to prepare for any future COVID-19 outbreaks, even with no or minimal detectable levels of community transmission or positive cases in local communities.
“As a sector, we have learned much from this pandemic to date and it is important that we continue to embed these learnings into our practice to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of older people receiving care, their families, staff and the broader community,” she said.
The guide – which brings together resources from the regulator as well as the Commonwealth Department of Health and State and Territory Health Departments – provide advice on areas, including:
- Infection prevention and control
- Screening, monitoring and testing
- Isolating residents
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Cleaning
- Waste management
- Workforce
- Communications
- Liaising with external agencies
- Visitor access and restrictions
The Quality and Safety Commission says it will publish further resources over the coming months to support providers in a “COVID-normal world”.
