COVID-19 procedures largely focused on the hospital campus rather than patients' homes. A series of process testing simulations were therefore conducted to identify and address the gaps in procedures when they are applied to home visiting services in the community, leading to improved patient and staff safety.
COVID-19 Home Visit Safety Optimisation
Summary
Aim
To identify any gaps in the processes within the Mater COVID-19 Management Procedure as they are translated to Home Visiting Services and provide tailor-made recommendations to each service that will ensure the protection of staff and patients.
Benefits
Staff have a greater understanding of the existing procedures and how they apply to each service, importantly the escalation procedures for seeking critical advice from the team leader and Infectious Disease (ID) Consultant.
Resources such as small alcogel bottles and plastic rubbish bags have been allocated specifically as a result of the testing.
Processes for contacting infectious disease consultant have been tested and managers of each service are now educating their teams on how to access this advice.
The COVID-19 Probability and Screening Tool has been widely distributed to team leaders and team members and is now included in all patient charts for some services through Hospital in the Home (HITH Nursing).
Background
Maintaining safe and high quality care systems and services during COVID-19 requires keeping staff and patients well as COVID changes our work and home lives.