Introduction: COVID-19 is the latest in a series of epidemics/pandemics (AIDS, SARS1, Swine Flu, MERS, Avian Flu, Ebola, Zika) in the last 50 years. A respiratory pandemic was repeatedly predicted (here, here, here and here), but preparations were woefully inadequate. COVID-19 impacted healthcare services and millions of lives across the globe. COVID-19 is unlikely to be the last pandemic. This assignment will help you think through the necessary infection control requirements for a respiratory virus epidemic in a Residential Aged Care Facility. Description: During the past nine weeks you have learnt about the importance of surveillance, environmental cleaning, personal protective equipment (PPE) and the built environment. In this report you are asked to consider the infection prevention and control (IPC) challenges you would face keeping residents in a 60-bed Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF) safe during an outbreak of a novel respiratory virus. The index source case was a facility care staff diagnosed on Day 1. On Day 5, one resident was symptomatic and tested positive. On Day 10, another resident developed symptoms, was transferred to hospital and died on arrival without having been tested. By Day 20 eight more residents and 2 care staff tested positive. The total number of diagnosed cases was 12 (9 residents, 3 care staff). Eight of the nine virus positive residents remained in the aged care facility where they received care under a system called ‘hospital in the home’ (HITH) that uses trained nurses and electronically recorded nursing and medical notes enabling a virtual aged care services by geriatricians and respiratory physicians located elsewhere. The novel virus causes various symptoms, predominantly respiratory. There is extremely limited research around transmission or epidemiology, no evidence-based treatment, and no vaccine available. The aged care facility has two wings designed in a V shape with entry and reception in the middle. There are also staff-only entry/exit points at the far ends of the 2 wings. Half the rooms in each wing are single rooms with en-suite bathrooms. Task Description: Write a report that outlines the IPC recommendations and challenges that to be overcome to keep virus negative residents and staff free from infection. Give a full picture of the range of IPC considerations needed. This is an individual assessment task that involves reviewing the relevant literature, applying relevant knowledge from the course and use of critical thinking skills. Report Structure: Introduction: state the problem Literature review: Some use of reports from governmental or international agencies (. WHO) is acceptable but peer-reviewed scientific publications are preferred. Include at least 10 such sources in your reference list, with correct in-text referencing (either APA or Vancouver style is acceptable). Distinction-level assessments will typically have 20 or more references. It is important that you locate the primary source of the cited information and do not rely on published reviews in your report. Ensure you go beyond simply summarising findings and show strong evidence of being able to synthesise and evaluate findings from multiple sources and apply them in the practical context of the RACF setting. IPC considerations, recommendations and challenges: The use of subheadings is encouraged. You may wish to structure your report according to the various IPC measures you recommend should be implemented, or according to staff, resident and built environment. You may choose to include the pros, cons and limitations in each section, or in a separate section. Conclusion/Summary Marking Criteria: Demonstrated ability to identify and discuss key factors = 15% • Breadth of reading (peer reviewed literature and grey literature) • Summary of findings • Synthesis, evaluation and applying in the relevant setting Demonstrated critical skill = 20% • understanding of the relevant standards and policies • Applying the relevant standards and policies Demonstrated ability to evaluate the pros/cons of your proposed approach = 20% • appreciation of the complexity of infection prevention and control in a health care setting that is not necessarily built for an infectious disease • critical evaluation of the difficulties of applying policies and standards in a shared home situation being used as a proxy hospital. Presentation = 5% • appropriate and accurate referencing for all sources • clarity and coherence of writing, logical structure • appropriate use and presentation of tables and figures
