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"Handling Coronavirus"

About: PathWest Joondalup Collection Centre

(as other),

Very unhappy with the way staff are handling Coronavirus. 

On the front of the door, it says if you have Coronavirus please ring, do not enter. So I walked in thinking it would be ok and yes, I was not to be tested but to pick up a testing kit. It did not say please wait outside, away from the front and that they had two people standing where I was standing at the front door with masks on, till too late.

I walked in quickly, not realising they were both to be tested. I stood in the doorway waiting, then a staff member opened the door for them with me standing right beside them. They did not tell me to go into the other room or made it clear that the people wearing masks could be a possible risk to me. Staff were wearing masks, so they protected themselves and the people being tested but not the other members of the public (me) standing right near them.

They did not alert me to stand clear or move away, nor did they offer me a mask. I am sick with cancer with very compromised immunity and when I asked the staff member, it was so obvious they were being tested for Coronavirus, it seemed they brushed me off. This is appalling in my opinion and I would expect more. 

I would expect them to clear the space or area outside and inside the lab while they did testing or allowed these people to pass, allowing the people who had to go, their peace of mind and protection. I will be complaining to the Health Department that I was not alerted or asked to move away before ushering those two people passed me, putting me at risk. The staff member said if we are very careful.., well, in my opinion, you were not careful at all.

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Responses

Response from Tracy Dixon, A/General Manager, QEII Network, PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA 4 years ago
Tracy Dixon
A/General Manager, QEII Network,
PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA

Responsible for oversight of laboratories at QEII, KEMH and PCH as well as the collection centres, transport and processing of pathology samples

Submitted on 12/03/2020 at 10:22 AM
Published on Care Opinion at 10:25 AM


picture of Tracy Dixon

Dear hekafg55,

Thank you for taking the time to provide us with feedback in relation to our collection services at Joondalup.

The COVID-19 situation has been rapidly evolving in WA, and we always attempt to meet the best needs of patients having these tests performed, as well as ensuring our usual patients receive the required care.

Until recently, we were taking samples from both patients being screened for COVID-19, as well as our usual customers. Those requiring COVID-19 collections are required to wear masks to reduce potential exposure. We do not issue masks to patients presenting for routine testing.

All processes have been developed in consultation with our virologists and infectious disease professionals, including implementing appropriate infection prevention and control measures to ensure patient and staff safety.

As of 10 March 2020, we have established dedicated collection centres for COVID-19 only samples, and our remaining centres will return to business as usual operations and will no longer be collecting COVID-19 samples.

If you have any further queries, please feel free contact our Manager of Specimen Collection Services, Mrs Elaine Toogood on 0413 611 192

Kind regards,

Tracy

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