Covid-19 and Acute Respiratory Outbreak preparedness in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs): Survey conducted by North Eastern Public Health Unit (NEPHU), Victoria
Jagroop (jay) Kaur1, Emma Tippet1, Ciara Willis1, Esther Field1, Faduma Said1, Kris Stone1, Rebecca Edgar1, Taff Ruvaro1, , 1North Eastern Public Health Unit, Austin Health, Victoria, Australia
Background
COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted urgent need of outbreak preparedness in RACFs, SRS/Disability and community. Existing preparedness plans were insufficient and major system weaknesses were exposed in the Australian residential aged-care sector.
Method
In 2022, A Victorian local public health unit, NEPHU, undertook preparedness surveillance with oversight from the Victorian Department of Health, to assess and support RACFs in effective preparedness towards COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. 175 RACFs participants were assessed for history, facility design, vaccination, staffing and a comprehensive outbreak management plan which included infection prevention and control (IPC), access to antiviral therapy and COVID testing plans.
Results
Common identified risks were facility design, low vaccination, staff shortage and limited air scrubber availability. IPC was the second highest indicator rated as severe in Victoria. Approximately 50% of facilities reported moderate to severe risk due to facility design. A quarter of facilities reported moderate to severe risk for vaccination coverage and staff shortage.88% of facilities had an up-to-date outbreak management plan. 3% (5) facilities had no IPC Lead at the time of survey and less than 10% did not have adequate PPE. Facilities identified as severe risk in IPC were individually supported by IPC team via phone call or site visit
Conclusion
There is need for ongoing preparedness programs to monitor and support RACF for outbreak response. There will be opportunity to compare future outbreak response for short or long term to evaluate program impact and to extrapolate preparedness programs to other community settings such as the Disability sector.
Biography
My Registered Nurse career began after graduation in 2008. I have done Master’s in nursing science and Infection Prevention and Control . I am also accredited Nurse Immunizer and have done certification in Blood Borne Virus pre and post-test counselling. As a perk, I also am trained dermatology practice nurse. My work experience in primarily in General medical and Dialysis unit prior to moving into aged care Space. I have worked with a National Aged care provider for7 years including where I coordinated IPC response for the organization. Since 2022 I have moved on with NEPHU as IPC team leader.