This week I am pleased to announce some of the first steps Western Health is taking in the easing of our internal COVID-19 restrictions.
As flagged in the previous Operations Bulletin, and in line with the State Government’s approach to social restrictions more broadly, these steps will be both gradual and cautious.
While Victoria has been very successful in containing the spread of COVID-19, the risk of outbreaks remain. With that in mind, Western Health is following three guiding principles for the easing of restrictions across our sites:
- Staff, patient and visitor safety and wellbeing is paramount
- Alignment with current government and DHHS guidance
- The benefits must outweigh the risks associated with any changes
From today, the Footscray cafe has re-opened to staff. From Wednesday, the libraries at Sunshine and Footscray will re-open. To ensure the safety of everyone, a number of provisos apply in all cases. Please see the bulletin below for further details.
Face-to-face interpreting has also resumed at Western Health this week, which is also further explained in the bulletin.
For the time being, visitor restrictions remain unchanged.
I look forward to keeping you informed of further changes over the coming days and weeks. In the meantime, it is vital we all remain vigilant. Our individual responsibilities include maintaining high standards of hand hygiene, checking our temperature twice daily, and keeping a minimum physical distance of 1.5m.
Thanks for reading.
Regards
Natasha
COVID-19 Daily Summary
- Respiratory Assessment Clinic presentations yesterday: 43
- Numbers of individuals tested for COVID-19 at Western Health to date: 11,879
- Numbers of individuals tested positive to date: 125
- Numbers of current inpatients with COVID-19: 1
De-isolation for suspected COVID-19 patients
Last week we released the revised COVID-19 De-isolation Guideline which is to be followed when considering the de-isolation of suspected COVID-19 patients. This has been released so staff can become familiar with using this as we work towards a unit-led approach.
After following the De-isolation Guideline, please continue to adhere to the steps below for all suspected COVID-19 patients under consideration for de-isolation.
- During hours (8am – 4pm, Monday-Friday; 9.30am – 5.30pm, Saturday-Sunday) please call the de-isolation HMO via Switchboard on 8345 6666
- For all other times, if there is an urgent requirement, please contact the After Hours Administrator via Switchboard for further guidance.
It is essential that all medical staff continue to thoroughly check for Pathology results in the EMR, as some patients may be awaiting outstanding test results. For this reason, all staff are asked to please check both the results review and the orders page in the EMR. Please see the QRG for further direction on how to verify you have the latest results.
Changes to interpreter services
Western Health Interpreters are able to provide face to face interpreting. Remote interpreting may still sometimes be required due to availability. Priority for face to face interpreters will be given to:
- Critical/sensitive or end of life conversations
- Consent for elderly patient especially if hearing impaired
- Family meetings
- Vulnerable groups such as patients with a cognitive deficit, elderly patients, and palliative care
For outpatients please continue to request interpreters via iPM as usual. If your patient is in a priority cohort and face-to-face interpreting is preferred, please indicate this in the comments section. A list of interpreter bookings will be sent the day prior to the clinic indicating how to access the interpreting service.
For inpatients page the in-house interpreters during business hours and for all other languages or after hours please call 1300 739 731.
Further details are available in the QRG.
Re-opening of Footscray cafe
The Footscray Cafe has re-opened today as a staff-only area. In the following weeks a swipe card access reader will also be installed to allow for staff to use this facility after hours.
At the Sunshine Cafe, tables and chairs will be made available to staff only at this stage.
At both cafe sites, please adhere to social distancing at all times whether waiting in line to purchase items or using the seating provided.
Re-opening of libraries
The Footscray and Sunshine Hospital libraries at Western Health will be re-opening this Wednesday.
With social distancing in effect there will be reduced seating space at both libraries. For this reason, entry will be restricted to Western Health staff, and students on current clinical placement.
Cleaning products will be provided for use in hot desk areas, and will be located at library staff desks.
This is about us all helping each other to stay safe, and doing our part in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
You can contact the libraries for more information on: 8395 8036 or 8345 6655 or email wh.libraryenquiries@wh.org.au
Face shields
Re-usable face shields are available to staff working at Western Health.
Face shields help protect us from droplet spread and their use will reduce our risk of contracting and spreading coronavirus.
They are not compulsory, but if you do not have a face shield and would like one, click here for details.