PL-61-COVID-19 Management Plan

Introduction & Purpose

The COVID-19 Management Plan for Holistic Healthcare Management Services outlines the procedures and protocols necessary to manage the ongoing risks associated with COVID-19. Although COVID-19 is no longer classified as a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance (CDINS), it continues to pose health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations such as those with disabilities. This plan is designed to ensure that Holistic Healthcare Management Services remains vigilant in protecting the health, safety, and well-being of all participants, staff, visitors, and stakeholders associated with our organisation.

The plan is aligned with the latest public health advice, government guidelines, and best practices to ensure the continuity of services while minimising the spread of COVID-19. Even though the emergency response to COVID-19 has officially ended, Holistic Healthcare Management Services recognises the importance of maintaining robust health and safety protocols to manage the ongoing presence of the virus and its potential impact on our community.

Purpose

The purpose of this COVID-19 Management Plan is to:

• Ensure Participant and Staff Safety: Establish robust protocols that minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission in both in-home and facility-based settings.
• Maintain Service Continuity: Provide guidelines to ensure ongoing delivery of essential services, whether in participants’ homes or within care facilities, even amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Promote Clear Communication: Outline strategies to keep participants, residents, staff, and stakeholders informed about COVID-19-related measures and updates.
• Enhance Preparedness and Response: Prepare staff and participants for potential COVID-19 cases and ensure a swift, coordinated response to any suspected or confirmed infections in any setting.

Preventative Measures

For In-Home Support:

• Pre-Visit Screening: Before each visit, participants and staff will undergo a screening process to identify any symptoms of COVID-19 or recent exposure. This screening will include a health questionnaire and, if deemed necessary, a temperature check. Any individual displaying symptoms or having been exposed to COVID-19 will be required to follow isolation protocols, and their visit will be rescheduled or adjusted.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Staff will be equipped with necessary PPE, including face masks, gloves, and eye protection, during all in-home visits. PPE will be used according to the latest public health guidelines, with protocols in place for safe donning, doffing, and disposal.
• Hand Hygiene: Rigorous hand hygiene protocols will be enforced. Staff will wash their hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser before and after all visits, as well as at key moments during care provision. Participants will also be encouraged to maintain hand hygiene and assisted in doing so.
• Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection: Staff will disinfect high-touch surfaces in participants’ homes, such as doorknobs, light switches, and mobility aids, using approved disinfectants. This will be done at the beginning and end of each visit and more frequently if required.
• Physical Distancing: Physical distancing will be practised whenever possible. This includes minimising the time spent in close proximity to participants, adjusting the layout of the home environment to maintain distance, and avoiding unnecessary contact.
• Ventilation: Efforts will be made to ensure that the areas where care is provided are well-ventilated. This may involve opening windows and doors to increase airflow, particularly in enclosed spaces.

For Facilities:

• Facility Entry Protocols: All individuals entering the facility, including staff, residents, visitors, and contractors, will undergo health screening, which includes temperature checks and health questionnaires. Those displaying symptoms or who have been exposed to COVID-19 will not be permitted to enter.
• Visitor Management: Visitor access to the facility will be restricted according to the current public health guidelines. Virtual visits will be encouraged as an alternative. When in-person visits are allowed, visitors will be required to follow strict PPE and hygiene protocols.
• Cohorting and Zoning: Residents will be grouped into cohorts to limit the spread of infection, with specific zones designated for those who are symptomatic or have tested positive for COVID-19. Staff will be assigned to specific cohorts and zones to minimise cross-contamination.
• Enhanced Cleaning Protocols: High-touch surfaces, common areas, and shared facilities will be disinfected multiple times daily using hospital-grade disinfectants. Deep cleaning protocols will be initiated immediately if a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case is identified.
• PPE and Infection Control Training: All staff will receive regular training on the correct use of PPE, infection control measures, and protocols specific to the facility environment. Compliance with these protocols will be monitored continuously.
• Isolation Procedures: Designated isolation areas within the facility will be prepared to manage residents who are suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19. These areas will have separate ventilation systems, dedicated staff, and stringent entry and exit protocols.

Protocols & Workforce Contingency

All staff members who provide close personal disability care in high-risk settings such as disability care services, should not attend work:

• for 7 days after testing positive for COVID-19
• while they have symptoms.

Holistic Healthcare Management Services and our support workers must follow the rules that apply to their location. Holistic Healthcare Management Services will monitor and follow advice of the local health department.

To respond to COVID-19 outbreaks, Holistic Healthcare Management Services will:

• Identify which supports are critical for the health, well-being and safety of a person with disability. Decisions on which services are continued, altered, or suspended are based on the assessed risk to the person with disability and in conjunction with relevant state or territory public health orders.
• Identify and assess risks to people we support and to the organisation (such as financial, operational, workplace health and safety obligations), and implement controls to mitigate these where possible.
• Outline workforce contingency plans in the event of an outbreak or that workers are unwell and need to self-isolate or are not able to work because of caring responsibilities or their own health vulnerabilities.
• Establish a COVID-19 incident reporting process as part of our organisation’s incident management system.
• Update staff training in infection control procedures, standard precautions, and transmission-based precautions.
• Implement standard infection control precautions throughout all workplaces.
• Establish communication channels to keep our workforce and stakeholders informed of any updates or changes.
• Undertake a stocktake of consumables and source additional supplies (e.g., outbreak kit).
• Plan for increased environmental cleaning and designate emergency plans and hospital bags for higher-risk participants.

Reporting Symptoms & Setting-Specific Guidelines

Any staff member or participant of Holistic Healthcare Management Services that receives a positive test result for COVID-19 is required to report this immediately. Staff should contact and report to their supervisor or line manager, who will notify the Incident Management Officer.

In-Home Support Settings

Staff providing in-home supports must work with participants to agree on escalation processes, monitor safety/wellbeing, maintain records of participants requiring face-to-face visits, and provide emergency contact details. Workers should not enter the home of a person who is unwell until their COVID-19 status is confirmed or appropriate PPE is used.

Disability Accommodation Settings

Workers and residents must actively monitor for symptoms. If symptoms show, seek medical advice, isolate the participant, inform close contacts, and complete an internal Incident Report Form. If confirmed positive, follow public health unit advice for isolation, visitor suspension, and professional cleaning.