Good morning all,
I’m pleased to report that the numbers of COVID cases in the community, hospitalisations and healthcare staff furloughed are continuing to decline at Western Health. We currently have 54 COVID positive in-patients; 179 COVID positive patients in community monitoring programs; and 133 staff furloughed, a vast improvement in the numbers recorded this time last week.
Please read today’s bulletin for an update on the COVID-19 patient test results process, revised opening hours for the Sunshine COVID Testing Clinic, updated visitation quick reference guides, a reminder that staff must inform Western Health of a COVID positive result, and roving vaccination teams visiting wards to administer third doses to staff.
Regards
John
Executive Director Operations (Acting)
Streamlined COVID-19 patient test results process
From 8 February, Western Health has standardised the PCR test results notification process so that all patients now receive their results from a text message from Dorevitch Pathology.
Prior to this, in-patients were notified of their COVID-19 test results by their treating team. By making this change, we’re seeking to make the notification process consistent across patient cohorts, whether ED, outpatients or inpatients.
Dorevitch Pathology also notifies Western Health of patient PCR test results. Clinical staff should continue to check the EMR regularly for results and communicate these to patients in a timely manner.
To manage patient expectations around testing timeframes and what to do in the case of a positive result, we’ve developed a short script for use by the clinical staff member ordering the PCR test as well as a short flyer that can be printed out and provided to patients.
Revised opening hours for Sunshine COVID Testing Clinic
From Monday, 7 February, the opening hours for the Sunshine COVID Testing Clinic will be:
- Asymptomatic testing: 7.15am – 4.30pm
- Symptomatic testing: 9am – 4.30pm
- Household members of staff: 10.30am – 4pm.
Updated visitation quick reference guides (QRGs)
We have updated our Western Health Visitation QRG and Special Exemptions Approval Process QRG on the COVID microsite.
A reminder that visitation is permitted for approved reasons. This includes parents of children, for emotional and social support where support cannot be provided electronically, as a support person of a birthing women and for end-of life-care.
Where it is safe to do so, in line with these exempted reasons, we encourage ward/department management to facilitate visitation in the interests of compassion for patients and their loved ones.
Reporting your positive COVID result and contacting COVID Staff Enquiries
Staff who test positive to COVID-19 are reminded that they must inform Western Health of their positive result as soon as possible via the new Staff Enquiries link. Details entered via this link are visible to both Contact Tracing and COVID Staff Enquiries.
Staff should also use the new Staff Enquiries link if they:
- Have an enquiry about an exposure to COVID
- Have a general enquiry related to COVID (e.g. leave entitlements, international travel, COVID testing)
- Are a manager who has granted an exemption for staff to return to work.
Staff will continue to receive an email response with guidance relating to their exposure or situation. For staff who have a more specific enquiry, the COVID Staff Enquiries team will continue to provide tailored advice.
If you are unable to access the above link, staff may continue to email whscovid-19staffclinicenquiries@wh.org.au
Roving vaccination teams
Today and tomorrow this week, our COVID-19 Vaccination Hub has several roving vaccination teams visiting our wards who can provide provide third doses to staff. The roving teams will be at Sunshine Hospital all day today (Tuesday) and at Footscray Hospital this afternoon. There will also be pop-up clinics at Williamstown Hospital this Thursday 10 February from 9.30am–3.30pm and Footscray Hospital (Mavis Mitchell Room) on Friday 11 February from 9am-3.30pm.