Residential Aged Care

AGED CARE COVID-19 INFORMATION

Please find below the link to access the final report of the Aged Care Royal Commission.

https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/publications/final-report

Also of relevance to the sector is the Victorian Royal Commission into Mental Health Services

rcvmhs.vic.gov.au

Message from COVID-19 Project Management Office, Commissioning and System Improvement Division, Department of Health (26 Feb 2021)

www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

“Dear Residential Aged Care Provider,

As you would be aware, the Premier has announced the return to COVIDSafe settings from 11.59pm tonight, Friday 26^th February.

The Premier’s announcement can be read here and a link to the COVIDSafe settings can be found here.

Please note that as part of these settings, there are no limits on the purpose of visits, the number of visitors, or the length of the visit to care facilities.

Some people continue to be excluded from visiting including people who have COVID symptoms, close contacts and people who are required to isolate or quarantine are excluded from visiting.

All visitors must still wear face masks unless they have a specified exemption.

Formal advice will be provided shortly.”

Visiting Aged Care Facilities (released by DHHS 24 Nov 2020)

Visits are now allowed at all Victorian residential aged care facilities.
However, there are still measures in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in an aged care facility. Please be aware that individual facilities may implement additional safety measures regarding visitations.
Please CLICK HERE! for further details

Face Shields (26 Nov 2020)

Please carefully read the email below from the Department (state) regarding the wearing of face shields….. YOU DON’T HAVE TO WEAR THEM ANYMORE EXCEPT FOR RESIDENTS IN QUARANTINE OR WHO ARE A CLOSE CONTACT OF A POSITIVE CASE….

“Guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for aged care workers – update

In the changing coronavirus (COVID-19) environment, guidelines for infection prevention and control measures to prevent the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19) are continually monitored and adjusted.

This includes moving to a risk-based approach for PPE requirements. This means when we have higher levels of cases we can quickly increase protection. Having the correct levels of PPE, as well as other strategies like hand hygiene and physical distancing, will ensure that healthcare and aged care workers are protected from infection.

The updated DHHS advice for aged care workers is that eye protection (a face shield or goggles) is not currently required unless caring for a resident who is classified as a close contact and is in quarantine or for a resident who is in isolation with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

This approach is consistent with, and builds on, National aged care statements and guidelines reviewed and endorsed by the AHPPC and Infection Control Expert Group developed to guide the Australian residential aged care sector response to COVID-19 and protect residents of residential aged care facilities who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19.

Please don’t hesitate to contact SAC.COVID@dhhs.vic.gov.au if you have any questions. “

COVID-19 Project Management Office, Health & Wellbeing Division,Department of Health and Human Services,50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3001 … www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

Mental Health Support for the Aged Care Sector

On Monday 27 July 2020, industry released The Guiding Principles for residential aged care – keeping Victorian residents and workers safe (the Principles) with the support of Government, peak bodies and unions.

Support is available to aged care workers whose regular working arrangements have changed as a result of the Principles. These workers can get free counselling services from Converge International.

CLICK HERE! for information regarding services that have been implemented to support the aged care sector staff.

Taking a resident home from residential aged care in an outbreak

This DHHS factsheet is for residential aged care facilities (RACF) in Victoria.

During an outbreak in a RACF, sometimes residents and their families request that the resident be cared for at home. This information is for residents, families, carers, representatives and RACF providers to help guide their decision making.

Educational Materials on the NIKI T34 Syringe Driver (14 August 2020)

Updated Guidelines on PPE ( 3 August 2020)

There is updated guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services on the correct usage and type of PPE to be worn by all healthcare workers.

It is critical that you all read this information and download
Further information can be found here … COVID-19 – A guide to the conventional use of PPE (DHHS 31 July 2020)

Personal Protective Equipment

Advice on use of PPE/ Masks in RACFs 13 July 2020 … CLICK HERE!

Where to get PPE when there is a suspected/ confirmed case of COVID-19. Please send an email to the following address detailing the outbreak in your facility… agedcareCOVIDPPE@health.gov.au

Online training for the correct use and fitting of PPE … CLICK HERE!

Further Information and Resources

Sustainability

A Link Nurse Network has been established to share ideas and resources across RACFs via PATSI meetings
Linkages with Key Stakeholders to ensure shared resources and common goals and identify activities that support the implementation of the processes
Ongoing training on ‘Palliative Approach’ is planned for facilities across the Southern Region and expressions of interest
The website will continue to post relevant links, resources and information

Current Activities

The current aged care project worker is Jane Newbound.

Jane has extensive experience in the aged care sector and is currently approaching facilities in the Southern Metropolitan region to participate in the Deceased Resident File Audit Project.

Jane is contactable via the following:

Email: jane.newbound@smrpcc.org.au

Mobile: 0433418010

Currently the consortium has a focus on supporting RACFs to review their current practices around the provision of palliative care. The Deceased Resident File Audit assists facilities to develop their auditing skills. By reviewing the files of deceased residents, facilities can identify their current practice standards and opportunities for improvement.

In addition, the project worker can assist facilities to review their documentation, policies and procedures, resources and educational requirements. In addition, the relationship with specialist palliative care and residential in-reach teams can be strengthened.

On site education and support can be offered to project participants, with the intended outcome of improved palliative experiences for residents, family and staff.

Resources

To view Aged Care resources CLICK HERE!
The Palliative Care Advice Service is a phone-based service for anyone seeking specialist guidance and advice about life-limiting illness. It’s for those living with the illness and those who support them, such as family, friends and neighbours and all healthcare workers. To contact the Palliative Care Advice Service call 1800 360 000 or visit www.pcas.org.au for further information.