TSGQ Service and COVID-19 Awareness
How are we keeping you safe during consultations?
- We are continuing to employ procedure to maintain a hygienic environment to protect both patients and staff.
- We ask that patients complete their Patient Details and Privacy Policy Agreement prior to their appointment and only bring one support person with you
- Sterilising hand solution is available in the reception area. We ask that upon entering the clinic you apply hand sanitiser to minimise potential spread
- At scheduled time intervals our staff are disinfecting all surfaces, door handles and seating. We use a 1% Sodium Hypochlorite solution which has been proven effective in inactivating viruses
- Patients are required to complete a brief COVID-19 questionnaire prior to consultations
- Social distancing is strictly observed in reception and common areas. Couches outside the clinic are also available for patients to minimise overcrowding
- During consultations social distancing will be maintained
- When possible, contactless payment options are preferred. This may include pre-payment of fees. Payment terminals are sanitised after each use.
How are we keeping you safe during a sleep study?
- Sleep studies are currently still proceeding with heightened cleaning protocols in place
- All staff have received specialist COVID-19 Infection Control training
- Patients are escorted from Wesley Hospital Admissions to the sleep centre. The Wesley Hospital has strict infection control procedures in place for common areas.
- Patients are escorted in single file whilst observing social distancing. Hand Sanitiser is available at multiple locations throughout the transfer.
- Each patient has a private room for the entire duration of the evening. Movement throughout the clinic is limited.
- Sleep Technicians will use Personal Protective Equipment throughout the duration of the night and observe strict infection protocol.
- Single-use respiratory viral/bacterial filters are used on all equipment. These filters have been tested by both the Health Protection Authority in the UK and Nelson Laboratories USA for Viral Filtration Efficiency (VFE) and Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE). Results indicate the filters are effective at removing viral loads of a much greater size than the virus responsible to Covid-19. These are single-use only.
How are we keeping you safe during respiratory function tests?
- Respiratory function testing is currently proceeding with strict infection control protocols in place.
- All staff have received specialist COVID-19 Infection Control training
- Thorough sterilization of all testing equipment and surfaces is conducted prior to each patient. Sufficient time has been allocated between patients in order for the disinfection process to have the greatest effect.
- Upon arrival in the Lung Function Laboratory you will be asked to use the available hand sanitizer.
- Social distancing protocol is observed whilst in the laboratory, with a distance of 1.5m maintained between patient and the respiratory scientist.
- During testing an enhanced social distancing measure is in place. Whilst you perform certain breathing manoeuvres a distance of >2m will be maintained between yourself and the testing scientist.
- During testing the respiratory scientist will use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as a face mask and/or gloves, as required.
- Single-use respiratory viral/bacterial filters are used on all equipment. These filters have been tested by both the Health Protection Authority in the UK and Nelson Laboratories USA for Viral Filtration Efficiency (VFE) and Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE). Results indicate the filters are effective at removing viral loads of a much greater size than the virus responsible to Covid-19. These are single-use only.
What is Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
- SARS-CoV-2 is a previously unidentified strain of virus that belongs to a family of coronaviruses. This family of viruses cause illness which ranges from the common cold to more serious diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). SARS-CoV-2 is the new strain of virus which causes Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). For ease, most people refer to both the virus and the disease as COVID-19.
Symptoms of COVID-19
- Most people who contract COVID-19 experience a mild to moderate form of the disease and may not require medical intervention. These people experience symptoms including:
- fever
- coughing
- sore throat
- fatigue
- shortness of breath
A small percentage of people contract a severe form of the disease and require hospital admission.
How does COVID-19 spread?
- COVID-19 spreads from one infected person to another when:
- A person infected with the virus coughs or sneezes droplets onto you
- Touching surfaces that have these droplets (like a door handle) then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
How protect myself from COVID-19?
- There are numerous ways to protect yourself from getting COVID-19. Some of these are:
- Practicing good personal hygiene: this includes routine hand washing, avoid touching your face, and coughing/sneezing into either a disposable tissue or into your elbow
- Social distancing: keeping 1.5m away from other people, avoiding physical contact if possible (including contact upon greeting), and limiting the amount of people you come in contact with
- Self-Quarantine: staying at home and avoiding going out for any reason other than essential ones which can include medical appointments, grocery shopping, brief forms of exercise, and work/study which cannot be performed at home.
What do I do if I suspect I have COVID-19?
- If you believe you have COVID-19 and are experiencing symptoms, it is recommended to not go into your local GP to prevent the potential spread of the virus. The National
Coronavirus Helpline (1800 020 080) can be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to seek information. Please be ready to discuss your symptoms, any travel history, or any recent contact with someone who has or could potentially have COVID-19.
Alternatively, you can use the online symptom checker:
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/healthdirect-coronavirus-covid-19-symptom-checker
- Tests are being performed on people who doctors decide meet the criteria. The current criteria is as follows:
- You have returned from overseas in the past 14 days and you develop respiratory illness with or without fever
- You have been in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case in the past 14 days and you develop respiratory illness with or without fever
- You have severe community-acquired pneumonia and there is no clear cause
- You are a healthcare worker who works directly with patients and you have a respiratory illness and a fever
Who is most at risk?
There are people who are at a greater risk of contracting COVID-19. Those who meet the following criteria are more at risk:
- returned from overseas
- those who have come in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case
- people who work within the healthcare industry
In terms of the symptoms, the following people pose a greater risk of developing more severe symptoms:
- People with compromised immune systems
- Elderly people
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people
- People with pre-existing chronic medical conditions
- People in group residential settings
- Very young children and babies*
*the risk for these people is not currently known but there has been, so far, a very low rate of confirmed COVID-19 cases relative to the broader population