COVID-19 EARBUS FOUNDATION RESPONSE ACTIONS

SAFETY AND WELFARE – OUTREACH STAFF

1

Outreach Teams to fly a day early as needed to facilitate 24 hours’ quarantine prior to visiting sites.

PMs

2

3 clinical thermometers to be purchased ASAP – 2 for Outreach use, 1 for Perth Office.

MPHS

3

All team members will have clinically administered daily temperature checks before leaving accommodation site. To be recorded and sent through to PM.

GP NP RN

4

Outreach Teams/staff required to complete and sign a Wellness Checklist before temperature is taken for first time on a trip.

ALL STAFF

5

Team member with temperature over 38deg Celsius will not be permitted to attend school/community sites. Staff sent home as soon as safely possible/practicable.

ALL STAFF

6

Face masks to be carried on trips in case staff show symptoms and are required to travel home.

GP NP RN

7

Outreach teams to be collapsed to minimum numbers. With immediate effect, data officers may be reassigned.

PMs

8

Alternative, non-cafeteria food options for Gateway Village and Leonora Lodge mining camp accommodation sites to be sought.

PMs

 

PROGRAM CONTINUITY – OUTREACH & PERTH

9

Program Managers to contact individual sites a week in advance to confirm access is available. And also re-confirm visit with each site the day prior.

PMs

10

Wellness Checklist being used in Hear Today Clinic will be used for all staff to complete at commencement of each week’s work roster.

MPHS

11

Program Managers to contact partner AMSs to advise that EFWA is being guided by the decisions made by the individual sites and communities

STAFF PMs

12

Perth Office - all staff to update calendars immediately to ensure ‘work from home’ plans can be formalised by PMs.

STAFF PMs

13

Map out for next month staff who will work on rotational basis from home and in-office. Ensure availability of laptops/desktops with IT Manager

PMs

 

PROGRAM HYGIENE AND CLIENT SAFETY

14

Discussion with Starlight re limiting Captains on trips.

DCS

15

One child only on bus and one child waiting policy is non-negotiable. Breach of this policy could result in dismissal.

ALL STAFF

16

Visitors to the office and buses to be routinely asked to use hand gel. Any person not using hand gel will be refused service.

STAFF

17

Buses must be cleaned on an hourly basis. Dial-in check by PMs to confirm cleans as scheduled. Tracking sheet visibly displayed and completed.

PMs STAFF

18

All used tissues must be disposed of immediately in bins provided.

ALL

19

DCS to circulate and enforce WA Department of Health instructions and guidelines on environmental cleans.

DCS

20

Cloth towels used in Perth Office bathrooms to be removed.

MPHS

21

NBHS – Screeners to have temperature checked prior to commencing shift.

MPHS

22

NBHS – Hear Today Clinic – Screeners to wear gloves.

MPHS

23

Hear Today Clinic – to be sanitised hourly and/or after each family visit.

MPHS

24

Hear Today Clinic – families to have temperature taken prior to appointments.

MPHS

25

Audiology testing toys (and toys to occupy children) to be removed from buses and not put into general use. Toys used by Audiologists to be cleaned after each use.

STAFF DCS

26

All equipment including stethoscope or ENT equipment to be sanitised with Tuffies prior to use with each child.

STAFF

 

IN-PRINCIPLE UNDERSTANDINGS:

  • Safety of staff and clients is the overarching concern

  • Situation is unprecedented, unpredictable and volatile. Our response will need constant review and flexibility

  • We need to respect and abide by the decisions made in each community/school we visit

  • All Earbus staff must be honest and vigilant in regard to their own health

  • Zero tolerance for any staff behaviours that knowingly put colleagues, children or clients at risk

  • Business continuity is not assured but we are being as proactive and safe as we can

  • Person to person transmission and surfaces contamination are main risks

  • Department of Health is authoritative source of up-to-date advice and protective behaviour

 

LEGEND:

DCS
GP
MPHS
NBHS
NP
PM
RN

Director, Clinical Services
General Practitioner
Manager, Paediatric Hearing Services
Newborn Hearing Screening
Nurse Practitioner
Program Manager
Registered Nurse

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