Feedback from residential aged care facility (RACF) managers has been positive in relation to the support and availability of the GPs during COVID outbreaks.
During the peak of the current Omicron wave, 50% of local RACFs were in an outbreak or deemed an exposure site. It has been a hectic time for the Public Health Unit (PHU), which is keeping up with calls and guiding the outbreaks. Healthy North Coast and the local health districts (LHDs) have been supporting the PHU and guiding RACFs on the various steps, tools and resources needed to manage and de-escalate a COVID-19 outbreak.
At present, there remain two types of outbreaks:
- Exposures – where 1–2 staff are positive to COVID-19 via PCR testing and deemed infectious at work.
- Outbreaks – where one or more residents are positive to COVID-19 via PCR testing, or where 3 or more staff test positive to COVID-19 on PCR testing.
There are a high number of outbreak meetings occurring each week, with Healthy North Coast, NSW Health and the Federal Government attending. GP teams at the RACFs receive an email post-meeting to notify or update on the situation. In most instances, we are also able to notify the GP team of de-escalations as well.
New testing protocols have been approved, with PCRs no longer used widely. One PCR will confirm and trigger an outbreak, with rapid antigen tests (RATs) used from then on. Testing on day 6 with negative results and no escalation of positive cases enables the PHU to de-isolate many negative residents where the environment is safe. This is making a huge difference to resident wellbeing.
Booster programs are now happening around the region. If you do have residents choosing not to be vaccinated, now is the time to have another conversation, as the boosters are making a difference.
Reminder: the joint protocol between NSW Health and the Australian Government says that residents with COVID-19 are managed at home. In most instances this is occurring successfully, with residents only experiencing mild to moderate symptoms. The COVID-19 Assessment and Management in RACF HealthPathway provides advice on the LHD services that consult on complex symptomatology. We are seeing residents return from hospitals/emergency departments and testing RAT-positive two days later, triggering an outbreak. This is happening across the region and, as a result, maintaining residents in place is a priority.
If you are able to attend the RACF during an outbreak, you will be provided with PPE and a fit check; the CEC donning and doffing training is a great 5-minute refresher.
Remember, residents de-condition during an outbreak, so active management plans are needed to remobilise. Emotional wellbeing is equally important. Healthy North Coast funds the following psychology services for RACF residents:
- Mid North Coast – Each One Matters
- NNSW – Change Futures.
Thank you to all for your commitment to your facilities – we are all in this together, and every person makes a difference.
For more information, please contact:
Bron McCrae
Deputy Director Healthy Living and Ageing
Healthy North Coast
[email protected]
02 6580 3918