Ms Camilla Lobo1, Ms Jelena Kopcic2, Ms Shani Prosser1, Ms Colette Mcgrath1
1Justice Health And Forensic Mental Health Network, Malabar, Australia
2NSW Public Health Training Program, NSW Ministry of Health, St Leonards, Sydney, Australia
Method:
The Network implemented a suite of innovative strategies to support infection prevention and control in correctional facilities:
- In partnership with the Clinical Excellence Commission, developed and delivered protective personal equipment (PPE) education for custodial staff
- Quarantine of new receptions into custody
- Designed and implemented red and orange zone PPE protocols
- Outbreak management protocols
- COVID-19 screening and RAT testing for staff working on site
- Regular COVID-19 screening and surveillance testing for inmates.
Results: The strategies reduced the incursion of COVID-19 into correctional facilities. The development of an outbreak management model reduced detrimental effects on wellbeing and effects of isolation to inmates and minimised onward transmission where incursion took place. These strategies supported and enhanced the established IPC strategies and contributed to the early detection and management of acute respiratory infections within prison populations.
Conclusion: Implementing IPC strategies in correctional facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic has required a pre-emptive and flexible approach. IPC protocols must acknowledge correctional facilities are a unique setting requiring tailored strategies.
Background: The Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network (the Network) is the healthcare provider for custodial facilities within NSW and has led the COVID-19 response providing public health and infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance for facilities. This has been a challenging undertaking given the high rates of COVID-19 cases, vulnerability of inmate population, high risk setting and complex environment. Further, the guidance provided in the public health and infection prevention strategies had to be targeted to a custodial workforce with no healthcare training.
Biography: Camilla Lobo is the CNC Population Health COVID-19 Coordinator and has worked with Justice Health for more than 10 years. Camilla has worked in viral hepatitis and sexual health programs in prison populations and worked with adolescent health programs in Aboriginal communities in NSW.
Jelena Kopcic is a Public Health Officer Trainee with experience in environmental health and public policy. As part of the NSW Public Health Training Program, Jelena completed a placement with the Justice Health Network. In this role she supported the COVID-19 public health and outbreak management response.