IPC Issues affecting General Practice
Victorian Health Alerts
General Practice
- Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited (AGPAL)
- Australian Association of Practice Management (AAPM)
- Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)
- Australian Medical Association (AMA)
- Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF)
- GP Deputising Association
- Royal Australian College of General Practice (RACGP)
- Rural doctors Association of Australia (RDAA)
Nursing
- Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA)
- Australian College of Nursing
- Australian Government Department of Health
- Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation
- Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide
- Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia
General Practice Relevant Guidelines
- RACGP – APNA Infection prevention and control guidelines for general practices and other office-based and community-based practices
- Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare – August 2020
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection control guidelines – Victorian Health and Human Services
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidelines for infection prevention and control in residential aged care facilities
Respiratory Management
- Australian Asthma Handbook
- Asthma – COPD overlap – National Asthma Council Webinar
- Epidemic thunderstorm asthma in Victoria
- Leaders in Lung Health – The Thoracic Society of Australia & New Zealand
- Infection Prevention Helpline: Performing spirometry in primary care in the COVID-19 pandemic
- Spirometry in Primary Care Settings – Part 1: Infection Control Advice (YouTube video)
- Spirometry in Primary Care Settings – Part 2: Infection Control Guidance for Performing Spirometry (YouTube video)
Digital Health CRC Series
- Providing health care remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic DOHAC
- Covid-19: A Remote Assessment in Primary Care (by Professor Trish Greenhalgh, et al.)
- COVID-19 Telehealth Guides (by Australasian Telehealth Society)
- Oxford COVID-19 Evidence Service (by Professor Trish Greenhalgh)
- Building on the momentum: Sustaining telehealth beyond COVID-19 (E Thomas, et al.)
- Video Consultation Guide for GPs (by Professor Trish Greenhalgh)
Wound Management
Training Resources
- COVID-19 Infection Control Training – Department of Health
- Use of full Personal Protective Equipment
- Use of masks in healthcare
- Alternatives to staff tea rooms
- Cleaning tips
- Applying alcohol rub
- Environment control in general practice
- Staff organisation in general practice
- Patient organisation in general practice
APNA Education - APNA is the peak professional association for nurses working in Primary Health Care including General Practice.
Clinical Resources
Case Studies
- General Practice 2021 –Concerns around face-to-face patient contact when they are diagnosed as a positive SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) case.
- General Practice Respiratory Clinics (GPRCs) 2021
Webinars
2021
- COVID Safe Vaccination Clinics – slide presentation only
- Principles of Environmental Cleaning
- Principles of Sterilisation – under review
- Principles of Infection Prevention and Control in Wound Care – slide presentation only
- COVID! What Next? – Business continuity during a pandemic – interpreting the guidelines
2022
2023
- Infection Prevention and Control – Accreditation Preparedness
- Reprocessing of reusable medical devices (RMDs)
Factsheets
Tips, Tricks and Advice
Communicating with Patients
For resources (guidelines, factsheets, posters & videos) on: Training, Hygiene and Cleaning, Testing, Disability Services, Aged Care Services, working arrangements, Personal Protective Equipment for the health workforce, Providing health care. Click on the link below.
FAQs
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in HealthCare (ACSQHC)
Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC)
High touched surfaces –such as waiting room chairs, work surfaces, door handles, sinks and switches should be cleaned at least twice a day or if visibly soiled or a known infectious contact using a 2-step method
- The first step is cleaning the surfaces and removing dirt and grime.
- The second step is using a disinfectant to remove all germs and bacteria on the surface.
A 2-in-1 clean is a product that incorporates both cleaning and disinfecting, reducing cleaning time
A ventilation assessment should be provided by a qualified professional service provider for the purpose of a ventilation audit, HVAC health check or assistance with items identified in the self-assessment ventilation guidance. A specialist engineer or Occupational Hygienist will supply the clinic with a certificate of air exchanges for each room/area.
Mechanical ventilation
- purchase and installation of spare parts to ensure the existing ventilation system operates effectively.
- upgrading or replacing filters in a ventilation system, such as installing a HEPA filter capable of 6-8 Air Changes per hour (ACH).
- Repairs, servicing or cleaning of an existing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system or air conditioning unit.
Natural ventilation
- This requires using windows or doors to create greater air flow.
Augmented ventilation
- Purchase an air purifier using a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter for the premises.
Other measures
- Extractor fans can enhance the effects of other ventilation strategies.
- Electric fans to promote air movement if there are existing ventilation strategies in place.
- Wall mounted split systems and cassette units that do not have a function to bring fresh air into a space are only eligible if they are used in conjunction with other natural and mechanical ventilation.
References:
https://www.health.vic.gov.au/covid-19-ventilation-principles-strategies-to-reduce-aerosol-transmission-community-workplace
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240021280
