News

The Federal Government rejects assertions by the ABC that there have been no inspections in nursing homes since the COVID-19 outbreak – or a commitment to infection control.

This is backed up by the statement from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, here.

There has never been closer interaction between Government, regulator and the sector.

The focus of all parties since the outbreak has been to ensure those most susceptible to the impacts of the virus have been protected and the sector prepared.

The Government has been engaging with the aged care sector since late January, issuing several fact sheets on COVID-19 and infection control and continues to meet with providers and peak bodies twice weekly to communicate related issues.

There has been seven specific training modules provided to the sector with over 58,000 aged care workers completing the basic module on infection control and 69, 527 completions across all modules as at April 1.

The Federal Government, the sector and its employees are actively engaged in preventing the spread of the virus.

Read more:

Working together to support Senior Australians in aged care

ACQSC Regulatory Response to COVID-19 Statement from Ms Janet Anderson PSM, Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner (.pdf)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for families and residents on restricted visits to residential aged care facilities (.pdf)

In this edition:

• Outbreak Management resource
• CHSP updates including flexibility provisions

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Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 Update – 3 April 2020

In this edition:

• COVID-19 outbreaks and available assistance
• Wearing eye protection in Residential Aged Care Facilities
• Investment in CVS services
• Reminder of flu vaccinations for aged care workers

Read more:

Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 Update – 2 April 2020

Aged Care workers are being urged to get their flu vaccination now ahead of the season in a bid to protect themselves and the Senior Australians they care for.

Minister for Aged Care Richard Colbeck said while every flu season is serious, the spread of COVID-19 means it’s critical every worker is vaccinated.

“Our Aged Care workers are doing an exceptional job caring for our most vulnerable Australians in very challenging circumstances,” Minister Colbeck said.

“Senior Australians are the most at risk from serious illness from the flu, which is why it is essential that care workers are vaccinated.

“We need our aged care workforce to be fit and healthy as we face this health emergency.

“This year it is even more important to be vigilant about the flu because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While flu vaccination does not prevent COVID-19, a flu vaccination is critical to protecting the health of Senior Australians, who are more susceptible to contracting influenza.

“I am urging all care workers who work with older Australians, whether through residential facilities or in-home care, to heed this advice and get vaccinated against the flu.

“The more people caring for this vulnerable group who have a vaccination will result in less demand on our health care system.”

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Aged care workers must get flu vaccination

Flu (influenza) immunisation service

While washing hands with soap is considered to be the most effective way to practice good hand hygiene during the COVID-19 pandemic, hand sanitisers can play an important role in keeping hands as free from harmful microorganisms as possible.

How hand sanitisers work

Hand sanitisers contain antiseptic ingredients. An antiseptic is a substance that is used on the skin to kill microorganisms or prevent the growth of microorganisms.

Hand sanitisers can be either hand washes for use with water or handrubs for use without water, and are regulated as either a cosmetic or therapeutic good (see below) depending on how they are used, what they contain and what they claim to do.

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TGA – Hand sanitisers and COVID-19

Good hygiene for coronavirus (COVID-19)

Published by: Anita Courtney, Dr Melanie Tan, Solomon Miller and Libby Pallot

To date, much of the focus within the aged care industry in relation to COVID-19 has been directed at residential care – the government directives exclusively so. However the home care sector is also facing unprecedented challenges arising from the COVID-19 crisis.

For example, last week the media reported a home care worker who had returned to work without disclosing recent overseas travel delivered home care packages and potentially put vulnerable clients at risk. The converse situation could also occur, whereby a client does not disclose COVID-19 exposure or infection to their home care provider putting the provider’s staff and other clients at risk.

Under the Aged Care Act approved home care providers are required to continue delivering agreed services to their clients, despite the current challenges. The security of tenure provisions under the User Rights Principles generally prevent a home care provider from ending an agreement on the basis of these types of challenges.

Read more:

8 legal issues for home care providers in the world of COVID-19

With the 2020 flu season not far away, all Australians — and especially those in vulnerable groups or age brackets — should arrange vaccination against seasonal influenza during the month of April.

Australians should speak to their GP, pharmacist or aged care provider to arrange a flu vaccination over the coming weeks.

Whilst flu vaccination does not prevent against COVID-19, a flu vaccination is critical to protecting the general health of Australians from influenza, which can take between 100 to 1,000 lives per year depending on the severity.

Expert medical advice is that everyone aged six months and over should be vaccinated against influenza this year, and every year, to protect themselves and others in the community.

From 1 May 2020, all aged care workers and visitors must have been vaccinated against seasonal influenza to enter an aged care facility.

The Australian Government has invested more than $80 million to provide more free vaccines under the National Immunisation Program in 2020 than ever before, including a new quadrivalent vaccine Fluad Quad® for people aged 65 years and over.

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Flu vaccination more important than ever during the month of April

Flu (influenza) immunisation service

In this edition:

• Increased investment in meal delivery services for older Australians
• New eLearning module on the use of Personal Protective Equipment in Aged Care
• Advice for care recipients at home and self-isolated

Read more:

Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 Update – 1 April 2020

The department has released further information to assist residential aged care providers to understand the entry restrictions to aged care facilities that related to 2020 influenza vaccinations.

Read more:

Influenza vaccinations – Restrictions on entry into aged care facilities

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Restrictions on entry into and visitors to aged care facilities (.pdf)

Published by: Anita Courtney, Solomon Miller, Dr Melanie Tan

Since the commencement of the new restraint provisions in July last year, there has been an increased focus on the issue of restraints.

A particularly vexing issue for the industry is what to do about keypads on the entrances and exits to/from aged care facilities, or areas within them (eg. secure dementia units).

With most of the industry using coded keypads to enter and exit, we are receiving a number of questions on this issue.

1. The keypad is there for everyone’s safety so it’s not a restraint right?
2. Is a keypad exit always a restraint?
3. Do I need consent from everyone in the facility?
4. What do I need to do if I have residents who can’t leave because of the keypad?

Read more:

Keypads in aged care homes and the rules on restraints: FAQs