Information for CALHN Staff

Emergency Directive No 14 became effective from 1 December 2020 and requires each healthcare site to complete a COVID-Safe plan.

All CALHN sites have a completed COVID-Safe plan which includes a list of measures designed to keep staff and visitors safe and minimise the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Each site is required to widely display their specific QR code at entrances so that everyone who comes on site (staff, patients, visitors, contactors) can scan in.

Sites are also required to provide a hard copy alternate option for those who do not have a smart phone or who do not wish to use it.

The Government of South Australia Contact Tracing Record – Attendance at Activities form can be used for that purpose.

CALHN sites are to ensure they comply with the Management and storage of hard copy COVID-19 contact tracing forms advice which outlines how to manage and store completed forms and how the network will respond to a request from Communicable Diseases Control Branch for these records.

Resources

• Government of South Australia Contact Tracing Record – Attendance at Activities form
• Management and storage of hard copy COVID-19 contact tracing forms
• A guide to completing a COVID-Safe plan
• CALHN COVID-safe checklist for managers.

Reviewed 11 December 2020

We are currently at CoStat 1.

Reviewed 25 November 2020.

Current free wifi is available at the RAH, TQEH and Hampstead.

Due to infrastructure, free public wifi is currently not available at Glenside, however we are looking into ways to introduce it in the future.

Reviewed 18 December 2020

For the latest information on any South Australia case locations or outbreaks please visit SA Health COVID-19 contract tracing website.

Reviewed 4 January 2021

In line with Emergency Directive no.16, which came into effect from 23rd December 2020, masks are no longer mandatory for people present in health care settings and people working in personal care services, but it is recommended to wear a mask if you are unable to physically distance.

For more information review CALHN MASK Advice Factsheet for Healthcare Workers (HCW

Reviewed 23 December 2020

Visitors are no longer required to wear face mask while on a healthcare site.

It is still recommended for visitors to wear a face mask when they are unable to physically distance.

Reviewed 25 November 2020

Interpreters can resume onsite from Friday, 27 November 2020, however we need to continue to ensure we only have people onsite if absolutely necessary. Please ensure that all bookings are made two days in advance whenever possible.

All contractors - including any interpreters - will need to use our digital screening and must ensure that all COVID-19 precautions are followed.

Reviewed 11 December 2020

From Monday, 14 December 2020 those that would like to return from working from home can do so, at the manager’s discretion.

We know that the government is encouraging people to return to the office, however as a health service, it important that we continue to keep as few people on our sites as possible until at least after the festive season. If you can work from home, and are able to do so effectively with your Managers permission, we encourage you to continue to do so.

If this arrangement works best for you, you might want to have a discussion with your manager about a more flexible working arrangement going forward.

Applications for continued or renewed working from home arrangements are to be made via the working from home application form. Approved applications are valid for 30 days, at which time a further application will be required.

Reviewed 18 December 2020

There is currently no restriction on movement between LHN’s or between sites.

A common sense/risk assessment approach should be adopted to minimise/limit movement between sites where this is not required.

Staff that are working in a dedicated COVID-19 facility - whether that is a medi-hotel or a dedicated health facility will not be allowed to work at other facilities or sites.

Reviewed 18 December 2020

COVID-19 symptoms include (but are not limited to) fever (≥37.5) or chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, acute blocked nose (congestion), shortness of breath, loss of taste and/or smell. Other clinical symptoms include fatigue, muscle/joint pain, nausea/vomiting, loss of appetite, conjunctivitis, chest pain

For further information on COVID-19 visit here.

Reviewed 15 January 2021

A close contact is defined as requiring:

• face-to-face contact in any setting with a confirmed or probable case, for any length of time, in the period extending from 72 hours before onset of symptoms in the confirmed or probable case,
  or
• sharing of a closed space with a confirmed or probable case for a prolonged period (e.g. more than 2 hours) in the period extending from 72 hours before onset of symptoms in the confirmed or probable case.

Reviewed 18 December 2020

A person who meets the following clinical AND epidemiological criteria for COVID-19

Clinical criteria: fever (≥37.5) OR history of fever (e.g. night sweats, chills ) OR acute respiratory infection (e.g. cough, shortness of breath, sore throat) OR loss of taste and/or smell.

Epidemiological criteria: Close contact with confirmed or probable case, international travel, passenger or crew on cruise ship, HealthCare, Aged or residential care worker/staff with direct patient contact, people who live in or have travelled through a geographically localised area with elevated risk of community transmission as defined by public health authorities.

Reviewed 18 December 2020

In areas of sustained low cases of COVID-19, the health advice is that all employees, even those at higher risk of more severe disease, can return to the workplace with appropriate controls in place. Those at higher risk continue to be:

• People aged over 70; or

• People with one or more specific pre-existing medical conditions.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples may also be at increased risk of severe disease in any public health emergency and should be considered a priority population when assessing potential risk related to COVID-19. Determination of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment 3.1

Managers should refer to the Australian Department of Health website for the most current list of pre-existing medical conditions which may increase risk.

Managers are to enable self-isolation wherever possible and provide, where appropriate, access to work from home arrangements. Where it is not practicable and appropriate to work from home, COVID-19 special leave with pay will be applied. If COVID-19 special leave with pay is exhausted, access to the employee’s own leave entitlements will be provided to enable the employee to stay at home.

Anyone considered a ‘vulnerable person’ should seek the advice of their medical practitioner on their proposed return to the workplace.

Managers should develop individual workplace COVID-19 management plans for those staff returning to the workplace that may be at higher risk of more severe illness.

Where a vulnerable employee is delivering essential services, a risk assessment must be undertaken. Risk needs to be assessed and mitigated with consideration of the characteristics of the worker, the workplace and the work. Managers must ensure appropriate mitigation of any identified risks as far as is reasonably practicable.

Reviewed 25 November 2020

The answer to this will depend on individual circumstances and advice is best sought from the clinical healthcare worker team. The team will enquire further and ask some personal questions to ensure they can give you a proper answer for your situation.

Reviewed 18 December 2020

All HCW with fever (≥37.5) or chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, acute blocked nose (congestion), shortness of breath, loss of taste and/or smell should self-isolate and present for COVID-19 testing. Other clinical symptom: fatigue, muscle/joint pain, nausea/vomiting, loss of appetite, conjunctivitis, chest pain.

• If COVID-19 test is POSITIVE then HCW should isolate as directed, and immediately advise Clinical Worker Health Services (CWHS). Contact tracing of patients and /or staff may be required.

• If COVID-19 test is NEGATIVE then HCW can return to work once symptoms have resolved.

Reviewed 15 January 2021

• General advice to Healthcare workers (HCW)s:
  travel to anywhere outside SA has risks for exposures if a hot spot is declared, which may require quarantine, testing, exclusion from work in CAHLN sites on return to SA
• CALHN will assess risks to its facilities which may require a more cautious response/direction for staff than directed by SA Health for the general public
• CALHN sites have increased vulnerability if transmissions occur due to risks to our vulnerable patients, difficulty in physical distancing when providing clinical care, and the loss of critical functioning if large groups of staff (or small numbers of highly specialised staff) are required to isolate in the event of close contact exposures occurring in the workplace
• The situation of HCWs excluded from on-site work in CALHN facilities will be reviewed daily and any restrictions imposed by Worker Health not consistent with those mandated by SA Health will be reconsidered based on further epidemiologic data as any outbreak is investigated in the State/Territory from which they have travelled.

Current state Health alert locations: SA Health contact tracing site

Exclusions

The following people are excluded from the High Community Transmission Zones (HCTZ) arrival definition:

• A person travelling in transit through the major Airport for no longer than 2 hours, and wearing a face mask for the entirety of the time they are in transit.

Exceptional circumstances for HCW

CALHN HCW may be required to stand down from work if they have visited an area of epidemiological COVID risk.

In certain circumstances the CALHN ID CELL group will review the probability of transmission for a 48- 72 hour period, and alter advice pertaining to work attendance accordingly. Staff will be advised as to a return to work date and alternate COVID testing regime.

Reviewed 18 December 2020

Any HCW who have had close contact with a confirmed positive COVID-19 case are not to work and are to self-isolate for 14 days from last contact with the case as directed by CALHN CELL group.

This includes where a patient is a case and the required PPE was not worn by the staff. Where partial PPE was worn contact CWHS so a risk assessment can be undertaken.

Reviewed 18 December 2020

Any HCW who have had close contact with a confirmed positive COVID-19 case are to follow directions for self-isolation provided by CDCB. This includes where a patient is a case and the required PPE was not worn by the staff. Where partial PPE was worn contact CWHS so a risk assessment can be undertaken.

Reviewed 18 December 2020

All HCW who have had close contact with a suspected COVID-19 case are not to work and are to self-isolate for 14 days from last contact with the case as directed by CALHN ID CELL group pending test results of the suspected case.

The HCW must immediately undergo COVID-19 testing. Clinical Worker Health must clear the HCW before returning to work.

Reviewed 18 December 2020

All HCW who have had close contact with another person who has no risk factors for COVID-19 but who is awaiting results of a COVID-19 test can attend work until the swab result of the symptomatic person is reported, provided the HCW is asymptomatic.

If the result is positive follow directions from CDCB, isolate at home and inform CWHS.

Reviewed 21 December 2020

If you are a healthcare worker or another staff member who has close patient contact in a hospital/health care setting you should not attend work and need to self-report using the Self-isolation reporting form if any of the following criteria apply:

• are unwell and are exhibiting symptoms associated with COVID-19; or
• have been tested for COVID-19 and are awaiting results; or
• have returned from interstate or overseas (see criteria above); or
• have had close contact with a positive COVID-19 case; or
• have been advised or directed to self-isolate or be tested for COVID-19

Reviewed 18 December 2020

If you are a healthcare worker or another staff member who is undergoing COVID testing (excluding surveillance screening) or have had close patient contact in a hospital/health care setting you should not attend work and need to self-report using the Self-isolation reporting form

https://forms.sa.gov.au/#/form/5e9f9949ad9c5d0a6c30a92c

Staff who experience / report any of the above must not attend the workplace, or must leave immediately if already in the workplace.

Working from home may be permitted if you are otherwise well and alternative duties are available. For specific employment conditions, including details regarding Special Leave With Pay associated with COVID-19 click here.

Reviewed 18 December 2020

To find your closest COVID-19 testing clinic including opening hours click here.

Reviewed 18 December 2020

SA Health has a COVID-19 PPE decision matrix. The document provides PPE advice and general infection control recommendations relating to COVID-19 including:

• when testing patients for COVID-19
• personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff when providing care
• room accommodation for the patient

View the latest version here.

Reviewed 18 December 2020

A healthcare worker is defined as anyone who delivers care and services within a health care setting who is either directly or indirectly in contact with patients through care or through the provision of services.

Reviewed 18 December 2020

The safety and wellbeing of people in our hospitals during COVID-19 means that there are some restrictions for visitors. To view the current SA Health visitor restrictions for our hospital including inpatients, outpatients and emergency, please click here.

St Margaret’s Hospital is considered a residential aged care facility for all things COVID-19 related and will adhere to the visitor directive for such facilities.

Reviewed 18 December 2020

To view the current SA Health visitor visitor screening questions please click here.

Screening of visitors - is this done at site entrances or ward levels?

This should be done at both. Managing people through our sites is all of our responsibility.

At sites without front door screening such as Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre, screening is occurring at the ward level.

We are asking that all programs be across and manage visitors to their areas and let the front door screening staff know of any exceptions, so they are aware and can fast-track those visitors as much as possible.

Reviewed 24 December 2020

All CALHN HCW planning on travel to other states please visit the relevant states websites for detailed information state and territory information.

Reviewed 18 December 2020

Any HCW who have returned from any overseas travel should not undertake work and undertake COVID testing in accordance with SA Health and self-isolate for 14 days from arrival in South Australia (SA). New Zealand is now exempt.

For the latest information and advice for overseas travellers please visit Australian Government Department of Health Advice for international travellers.

Reviewed 18 December 2020

In the first instance all risk mitigation steps should be taken to avoid interstate contractors attending CALHN sites. Local repairers and suppliers should be the first port of call where possible.

When all other options are exhausted:

If the contractor has visited any site which requires self-isolation the contractor will need to have a COVID-19 test on day 1 and day 12 post exposure and complete 14 days self-isolation from the date the site was visited. Visit link for relevant clusters: https://www.australia.gov.au/states

After approval has been provided for Contractors on site, line managers to send email to – craig.robinson@sa.gov.au (Only applicable to CALHN sites with door surveillance team in place) to notify him with details such as :

• Name
• Date,
• Time an
• Reason for site visit

to ensure that staff allocated to Door Surveillance duties are aware and can contact the nominated person accepting responsibility for having the contractor on site.

Approvals received by SA Health for onsite works by interstate contractors are to be submitted to CALHN.NICC@sa.gov.au for access to site and to ensure that local measures, as outlined below, are in place for their arrival.

Contractors whilst on site within a CALHN service will be required to:

• Use the digital screening app at the entrance to the hospital and must ensure that all COVID-19 precautions are followed.
• Document their arrival and departure time on presentation to the area manager.
• Complete a contact sheet with details of who they have been in contact with and the duration of contact etc. as provided by SA Health Interstate Traveller Contact Sheet.
• Be escorted in and out of the building by a designated person from the area where the work is being undertaken, at the commencement and completion of shift each day.
• Wear a surgical face mask at all times. If you have any questions regarding wearing a face mask at work, read our face mask FAQS or download 'How to safely wear a mask' poster and the Healthcare worker mask fact sheet.
• The clinical area to provide access to ABHR and disinfectant disposable wipes.
• Ensure at all times they maintain 1.5m physical distancing from all staff.
• Perform regular hand hygiene practices.
• Symptoms monitor and report any changes in symptoms to the Site manager and CWHS.
• Should they become symptomatic, isolate and undergo COVID testing on advice from CWHS.

It is the responsibility of the site manager and visiting contractor to maintain contact records and have them accessible if they require actioning.

All staff within the site area are to continue to symptom monitor as per SA Health protocol.

If staff become symptomatic they are to undertake COVID-19 swabbing, isolate until the results return and they are asymptomatic and notify their line manager.

Reviewed 30 November 2020

If you are an employee (other than causal employee), you can access the ‘Special leave with pay COVID-19’ provision in the following circumstances:

• If you commenced interstate or overseas travel prior to 12.01am 16 November 2020 and are required by the State’s authorities to self-quarantine or isolate on your return to South Australia, and it is not practicable and appropriate to work remotely;
• If you return from approved interstate or overseas travel for business purposes and are required to self-quarantine on your return to South Australia and it is not practicable or appropriate to work from home;
• If you reside interstate and apply for but do not receive approval to cross the border to attend your workplace and it is not practicable and appropriate to undertake suitable alternative duties that can be undertaken remotely from home;
• If you are contacted by Communicable Diseases Control Branch of SA Health as part of the contact tracing procedures and advised to self-isolate and it is not practicable and appropriate to work from home, you will be provided special leave with pay for the required period of isolation;
• If you are self-isolating while you are waiting for COVID-19 test results and it is not practicable and appropriate to work from home, you will be provided special leave with pay for up to 72 hours following the testing;
  • If you test negative but still displaying symptoms of COVID-19, you must remain at home and if it is not practicable or appropriate or you are unfit to work from home; personal leave entitlements or leave without pay should be accessed
  • If you test positive, sick leave provisions apply. The delegate may grant special leave with pay on a case by case basis if sick leave is exhausted and employee is unable to work.
• If you are required to quarantine or isolate as a direct consequence of your employment;
• If you are caring for a member of your family and it is not practicable and appropriate to work from home and you have exhausted your sick/carer’s leave entitlements;
• If you have care arrangements impacted by a school or child-care closure and it is not practicable or appropriate to work from home and you have exhausted your sick /carer’s leave entitlements;
• If you are living with a vulnerable family member and wish to remain away from workplace and if it is not practicable and appropriate to work from home and you have exhausted your sick/carer’s leave entitlements and if your recreation/annual leave does not exceed 12 months’ worth of accrual;
• In the event the Government or Chief Executive determines that a service should temporarily cease (full or partial), or where a workplace physically closes, and it is not practicable and appropriate to access flexible working arrangement or transferred to alternative duties;
• In the event that a Direction is implemented requiring parts or all of the community to remain at home, if you are not deemed as an essential worker and it is not practicable and appropriate to work from home and all your leave entitlements (annual leave, long service leave and retention leave) is exhausted;
• If you are a vulnerable employee who is
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 50 years and older with one or more chronic medical conditions; 
  • 65 years and older with chronic medical conditions; 
  • 70 years and older; or 
  • with compromised immune systems.  

and it is not practicable or appropriate to work from home.

Applications for ‘Special Leave with Pay COVID-19’ are to be made to your Clinical Program Delivery Manager for consideration. It is important to clearly mark the leave as “COVID Special Leave with Pay” on the leave form. Line managers and supervisors are unable to approve these requests.

Note: Special leave with pay is only paid at an employee’s ordinary rate of pay for the relevant day.

You will need to access ‘carers leave’. If you have exhausted your carers leave entitlement, your Clinical Program Delivery Manager can grant ‘Special Leave with Pay COVID-19. Further information is available in the document Determination of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment 3.1 available at www.publicsector.sa.gov.au

Employees who have care arrangements impacted by a school or child-care closure will be provided with access to flexible working arrangements wherever possible. Where not practicable or appropriate to offer flexible working arrangements, access will be provided to existing own leave entitlements, including accrued sick/carer’s leave, to take an uncapped number of carer’s leave days. If the employee has exhausted all their sick/carer’s leave entitlements, the employee will be provided with special leave with pay for COVID-19.

Normal sick leave provisions apply.

Normal carer’s leave provisions apply. If the employee has exhausted all their sick/carer’s leave entitlements, the employee will be provided with special leave with pay for COVID-19.

• CALHN OWI5409 COVID-19 Management (accessible on eCentral)
• SA Health Information For Health Professionals
• CALHN COVID-19 transmission based precautions guide | 31 December 2020
• CALHN Risk assessment for bed management inpatient areas COVID-19 v5 | 20 November 2020
• SA Health FAQs for clinicians – Appropriate surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic
• CALHN COVID-19 interim advice on home visits to mental health consumers
• COVID-19 patient leave and visitors guidance for staff - Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre
• Australian Department of Health Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for the health and aged care sector
• Mask advice fact sheet for patients and visitors - 1 December 2020
• Mask advice fact sheet for Healthcare workers - 1 December 2020 5pm
• Guide to safe functions - 4 December 2020
• Guide to safe Christmas decorating - 4 December 2020

How to videos

• Detmold and SA Health how to video - Donning and doffing D95+
• How to video - Cleaning a glucometer
• How to video - Cleaning a stethoscope
• How to video - Cleaning safety goggles and flexible goggles
• How to video - Cleaning safety goggles
• How to video - Cleaning tympanic thermometer
• How to video - Goggles lense replacement
• How to video - PPE doffing - RAH ward
• How to video - PPE doffing - Negative pressure room
• How to video - PPE doffing - ED
• How to safely wear a mask poster
• COVID-19 MER demonstration
• Transmission based precaution (TBP) guide flowchart

• Advice for healthcare workers | 15 January 2021
• Mask advice fact sheet for healthcare workers | 1 December 2020 (5pm)
• How to safely wear a mask poster

• CALHN Outpatient Flowchart COVID-19 v17 | 20 November 2020
• CALHN ED Inpatient Flowchart COVID-19 v19 | 20 November 2020
• CALHN COVID-19 Adult Triage & Assessment Clinic Flowchart v13 | 20 November 2020
• CALHN worker health positive or patient positive with no precautions flowchart
• CALHN staff on isolation workflow v5 | 12 August 2020

• Self-isolation reporting form
• SA Health self-isolation and self-quarantine advice

• CALHN COVID-19 intrahospital transport requirements
• CALHN COVID-19 interim advice on the transport of consumers in mental health

Telephone: 7074 0720

Email: CALHN.NICC@sa.gov.au

• Royal Adelaide Hospital: Mon– Fri, 8am - 4pm, telephone: 0401 689 039, email Health.RAHworkerhealthservice@sa.gov.au

• The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Mon- Fri, 8am - 4pm, telephone: 0423 824 010, email: HealthTQEHworkerhealthservice@sa.gov.au

• After hours urgent healthcare worker related queries, telephone: 0438 976 481

Infection Prevention and Control staff can be contacted on these numbers:

• Royal Adelaide Hospital: 7074 2801
• The Queen Elizabeth Hospital: 8222 7588
• Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre: 8222 1712.
• COVID-19 Mobile number: 0401 123 801 (business hours 8.00am - 4.30pm)

• COVID-19 workforce considerations
• Determination of the Commissioner For Public Sector Employment 3.1: Employment Conditions – Hours of Work, Overtime and Leave: Supplementary Provisions for COVID-19

Reviewed 19 November 2020

Employees working from home can access their emails via https://owa.statenetmail.sa.gov.au/owa

Access to the SA Health Network is done via an SA Health approved gateway (Virtual Private Network (VPN)). If an employee requires the ability to work from home and are in a role that requires access to the network, they may access their email and the SA Health network via VPN.

If an employee has previously registered for and been approved VPN access:

Staff should check their access from home at the earliest opportunity to ensure they have the level of access they require.

If an employee does not already have VPN access:

Staff requiring access to the SA Health network will need to submit a registration form to request VPN access.

Operation of a VPN requires the internet, using home WI-FI as the preferred option. 4G can also be used however users may experience performance issues. Staff requiring access to the SA Health network should use the correct form below in the “Resources and Guides” section depending on whether they intend to apply to use VPN from an SA Health computing device or Personally owned device.

Resources and guides

• SA Health Flexible Workplace Policy Guideline
• Remote Access (VPN) – Registration Forms and User Guides
• Install and test CISCO Webex Teams (video conferencing)
• Instruction of Use – Outlook Web App – OWA
• CALHN working from home application and assessment form

Reviewed October 2020

The COVID-19 local workforce planning toolkit is to assist and guide managers with the development and implementation of risk mitigation and contingency planning strategies to minimise the potential of staff absence due to the requirement to self-isolate and/or contracting COVID19 within the workplace. It is acknowledged that not all strategies will be practical in all clinical and non-clinical areas. Download the COVID-19 local workforce planning toolkit here.