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Message from the Chief Executive
Monash Health is currently treating seven COVID-19 positive patients, five at Monash Medical Centre (one in ICU), and two at Dandenong Hospital (both in ICU). Our screening clinics have tested 7,355 people to date.
We are at one of the most important moments of our response to COVID-19. We have made significant progress in preparing for the surge in demand on our services and now is the time to consolidate this work and embed the relevant practice changes.
We must make sure our process is working, and working well.
What we’ve done so far is outstanding. The collaboration and dedication from across the organisation, across all fields of work, has been quite extraordinary. But we can’t stop now.
On the weekend, Premier Daniel Andrews extended the state of emergency in Victoria for another four weeks, until 11 May.
I cannot urge you strongly enough – use this time to refresh your PPE training, understand changes around Met Call and Code Blue process, familiarise yourselves with our new model of care and practice the new EMR workflows relevant to you. Make sure you are aware of these changes and talk about them within your teams.
And most importantly – access the support available to you if you need it.
I’d like to draw your attention to the following points:
Important changes to MET Call, Code Blue for COVID-19
Remember – your safety comes first. When responding to a MET Call or Code Blue you must assume the patient is COVID-19 positive and adopt the following precautions:
- MET Call – all employees to use Tier 2 – airborne and contact precautions.
- Code Blue (Adult) – all employees managing the airway use Tier 3 – airborne and contact precautions (high-risk). All other employees to use a minimum of Tier 2 – airborne and contact precautions.
- Code Blue (Neonatal and Paediatrics) – the airway team must be in at least Tier 2 PPE and employees wearing Tier 2 PPE can safely commence basic airway and breathing support.
Updates to our Model of Care
As part of our operational response to COVID-19, we have redesigned the way we admit our planned and emergency patients. We have clear screening processes through our three Screening Clinics and in our Emergency Departments, and have commenced separation of our inpatient COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 cohorts in dedicated wards.
Support for workforce mobilisation and reassignment
We’re asking all employees (excluding junior and senior medical staff) to complete the Workforce Mobilisation Profile. The profile helps us identify people with additional skills, qualifications and specialities that can be used to support our response to COVID-19. Putting the right people in the right places will help ensure we can continue providing safe and timely care to those who need it.
We should be immensely proud of the work we are undertaking together. Thank you.
Andrew Stripp
Chief Executive
Key Messages
Important changes to MET Call, Code Blue for COVID-19
When responding to a MET Call or Code Blue, you must now assume every patient is COVID-19 positive and protect yourself with the appropriate tier of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) before providing care. Find out more here.
Updates to Model of Care
We have commenced changing the way we admit our planned and emergency patients to hospital in
response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out the latest here. Please take the time to review the new Admission Procedure on PROMPT here.
Support for workforce mobilisation and reassignment
The Workforce Mobilisation team manages the potential reassignment of employees where their additional skills may be required to assist in critical need areas, such as ICU, Support Services and Emergency. To assist, all employees are encouraged to complete the Workforce Mobilisation Profile.
Portable resuscitation unit initiative
Works are underway as part of a unique temporary expansion to Monash Medical Centre’s resuscitation unit capacity. This solution involves six patient bays installed in specially-designed ‘cubes’ that will be located adjacent to Monash Medical Centre Emergency Department. Read more here.
Guidance for Managers
We have released a new section for Managers on the Monash Health Employees’ Coronavirus website, providing information about our strategic response to the pandemic and what you need to lead your team during this challenging time. See more here.
Monash Health on the 7.30 Report
Monash Health was featured in a ‘behind-the-scenes’ look at how Australian hospitals are responding to COVID-19, on ABC’s 7.30 Report on 13 April. Read the related article here.
Kindness has no boundaries
Friends and family of the Monash Health community have rallied to bring a smile to the faces of residents in our aged care homes and hostels. Read more here.
Updates to testing criteria
From today, COVID-19 testing will be available to anyone with a fever or acute respiratory infection that is characterised by new onset shortness of breath, cough or sore throat. The full updated testing criteria is available here.
2020 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards
To help prevent the transmission of COVID-19 and support the broader Department of Health and Human Services response to the pandemic, the 2020 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards have been cancelled.
Ensure you are working to the most up-to-date advice
The information about COVID-19 is changing rapidly. Ensure you are working to the most up-to-date advice by referring to the Monash Health Employee Coronavirus website. To make accessing the site quicker, you can create a shortcut on your smartphone by following these instructions.