Survival guide for residential aged care outbreaks. How a local public health unit support their regions residential aged care facilities during COVID-19 outbreaks, by collaborating in a dynamic response aiming to achieve the best outcome for staff, residents and their families.

Mrs Penny Radalj¹, Professor Eugene Athan¹, Doctor Deb Kay¹, Holly Wardlaw¹, Caroline Poynder¹, Jane  Gray¹, Doctor Naomi  Clarke¹, Sara  Bonnici¹, Doctor Michael  Muleme¹, Doctor Bridgette McNamara, Steven  Hallisey¹, Alana Kelly¹

¹Barwon South West Public Health Unit, Geelong, Australia

The Barwon South West Public Health Unit (BSWPHU) Aged Care Hub (ACH) coordinates the regions Residential Aged Care (RAC) COVID-19 Pandemic response. The ACH scope includes supporting RAC facility (RACF) preparedness and management of exposures and outbreaks in the BSW region. The support includes providing infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance, coordinating clinical support and advice, vaccination service, COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, epidemiologist analysis of RACF resident cases and outbreaks, liaising between RACFs and government health departments. Early recognition of COVID-19 cases enabling implementation of infection prevention measures to reduce both transmission to others and the risk of outbreaks. ACH collaborates with RACFs to fulfil their obligation to continue to deliver safe, quality care and service to all residents in accordance with their legislative and Aged Care Quality and Safety Standards  (ACQSS) obligations at all times, including during a COVID-19 exposure or outbreak.

The ACH is dynamic and responds to the frequent changes in guidance and directions provided by Government bodies, during the frequently evolving COVID-19 pandemic, and how they apply to the RAC setting. A combination of vaccination, antivirals and reduced severity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have informed developing a proportionate response to implementing measures to reduce transmission of COVID-19 to others and the risk of outbreaks, whilst optimising care and minimising the harm of extended isolation on residents.

Biography: Penny is an Infection Prevention and Control, Clinical Nurse Consultant, involved in aged care for the past five years. Prior to commencing working as the Aged Care Hub lead for the Barwon South West Public Health Unit, she worked as IPC consultant for Barwon Health residential aged care services.