As COVID-19 hospitalisations in Victoria continue to trend downwards, we are reviewing and making alterations to our model of care to bring services back online.
One of these changes includes reverting some COVID-19 wards back to use as general wards with the capacity to treat COVID-positive inpatients when required, through the use of negative flow units (NFUs).
136 NFUs are being delivered to Monash Health sites over the coming months to support the transition to a COVID-normal environment, reducing the need for COVID-specific wards, and resulting in less upheaval for patients and employees. The new additions will take the total number of NFUs to 156 across the health service.
The installation of NFUs will allow COVID patients to be cared for within their home ward reducing the demand on COVID-specific wards.
NFUs can be installed in single rooms with doors and create a flow of air directly to the external environment while preventing air spill-back into the main ward.
Containing in-built air purification, NFUs turn over 10 to 12 air changes per hour.
NFUs have successfully completed Infection Prevention, OH&S and other relevant risk evaluations and will be delivered to multiple Monash Health sites throughout February and March. Monash Medical Centre Clayton will be prioritised for installation as it currently has no ability to have mixed COVID and non-COVID wards.
Each NFU will take one to two days to install, with the installation of all units anticipated for completion by mid-May 2022.
Approved by Stuart Cavill.