Download the latest COVID-19 Chief Executive Update for your noticeboards here.
Message from the Chief Executive
On Sunday, the Victorian Minister for Health, Jenny Mikakos, announced that the State of Emergency would be extended until 21 June to keep people safe as restrictions are eased.
It’s a reminder that even as restrictions ease, we must continue to be safe and vigilant. This means continuing to maintain physical distance from others, taking appropriate hygiene precautions, avoiding crowds, and getting tested/staying home if you’re unwell.
It means making sure you’ve completed your PPE training, getting your flu shot, and maintaining safe working practices while at work. So, while many are keen to resume face-to-face meetings, remember that we need to continue to hold meetings using WebEx or telephone calls for now.
It also means staying up-to-date with the latest information, and there are several opportunities to do so this week.
On Wednesday, there will be a COVID-19 Medical Grand Round featuring guest presenter, Prof Ian Scott, who is Consultant General Physician and Director of Internal Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane. Prof Scott will discuss the role of cognitive biases in clinical decision-making.
On the same day, Jodie Burns, Managing Principal Solicitor from the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office, will present on some key occupational health and safety issues at this week’s Manager Forum.
Thursday’s Employee Forum will feature an update from our Mental Health team, a focus on health and wellbeing, and another chance for you to ask any questions you may have.
Thank you once again for all your hard work, care and commitment.
Andrew Stripp
Chief Executive
Key messages
Be accreditation ready by 1 July 2020– a focus on audits
Auditing our areas and work is part of our standard approach to good governance, safe patient care and high-quality outcomes. There are two audits your teams should be focusing on right now, Point of Care Audit and Infection Control Risk Assessment actions. Learn more here.
Complete your PPE training today
All patient-facing employees must complete their PPE training before 1 July 2020.
We have sessions running every hour on the hour, between 9am and 4pm at Clayton, Dandenong, Casey, Kingston and Moorabbin. These sessions will be available until Tuesday 2 June (with the last session at 4pm).
From Wednesday 3 June, face to face training sessions will be running at Clayton, Dandenong and Casey, Kingston and Moorabbin at 10.00am and 2.00pm. Read more here.
COVID-19 reporting in RiskMan
DHHS is collecting data on incidents relating to COVID-19 in all health services across Victoria. To capture this data, a new mandatory field called “COVID-19 related?” will be opened up in RiskMan from today.
Staff are to select “Yes” in this field if any incident is identified that is related to COVID-19 regardless of the patient’s COVID-19 status. Learn more here.
Special guest at COVID-19 Medical Grand Round – 12.30pm, 3 June 2020
Dr Anjali Dhulia, Chief Medical Officer, invites you to a special Grand Round on Cognitive Bias, presented by Professor Ian Scott, a Consultant General Physician and Director of Internal Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane. Cognitive Bias in medical decision making is one of Professor Scott’s areas of interest and expertise. Please join us at 12:30pm on Wednesday 3 June 2020 via Webex. Read more here.
Get involved with CrazySocks4Docs on Friday 5 June 2020
On Friday 5 June, we’re encouraging Monash Health employees to wear their CrazySocks4Docs to help normalise conversations about mental health. Learn more about how you can take part here.
Using DeBug pumps
DeBug is an alcohol hand rub that we are currently using alongside Avagard. There have been some concerns raised about DeBug pumps breaking or not performing as expected. These pumps work slightly differently to the Avagard pumps and need to be activated prior to attaching to the bottle. Read more about using the DeBug pumps here.
Clinical ethics and COVID-19 free course
At last week’s Manager Forum, Professor Clare Delany, from the University of Melbourne, highlighted the ethical challenges of COVID-19. You can download the Ethics and Wellbeing presentation from the COVID-19 website for employees and work through the examples on your own or with your team.
COVID-19 Appeal
Our COVID-19 Appeal is now live, the proceeds of which will enable our researchers to expand and enhance the great work they are doing in the fight against COVID-19.
You can also spread the word about the appeal to your networks by sharing the appeal link www.monashhealthappeal.org. The more people who hear about the great work of Monash Health, the better. Read about donating to the appeal here.
Clinell Wipes
We have Clinell wipes in stock and these are being gradually rolled out to clinical areas across the service. Clinell is a combined detergent and disinfectant wipe used for low level disinfection of clinical equipment.
Wipes should not be flushed or put in a macerator, instead please dispose of them via clinical or infectious waste.
Family violence – updated IVO procedure and training
The ‘Responding to family violence intervention orders and other related orders’ procedure has been updated. The revised procedure reiterates the importance of involving others in your decision making. You don’t need to make decisions about what to do on your own. The procedure outlines the clear escalation points when you are aware you have a patient with an active intervention order in place. Read more here.
Manager Forum this week – Occupational Health and Safety issues
Jodie Burns, Managing Principal Solicitor from the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office, will present on some key occupational health and safety issues at Wednesday’s manager forum, Management practices in the context of COVID-19.
Monash Health managers will be hearing about responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, how we manage workplace risks, the role of WorkSafe and details of the new Victorian workplace manslaughter offences, expected to commence into effect on 1 July 2020.
Remember to take care of yourself
Please continue to prioritise your health and wellbeing. There is a range of resources available to you on the Monash Health employee website that are specifically tailored to our teams.
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.
All managers are requested to share these updates with their teams and discuss at stand-ups and handovers. Please print a copy and display it in communication books and on employee noticeboards.
As advice and information evolve, please consult the latest updates and visit the Department of Health and Human Services and Monash Health COVID-19 website for employees regularly for the latest.