This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?
Care Opinion

Staff dismissive of covid precautions

Posted By Covid Informed

"Staff dismissive of covid precautions"

About: St George Hospital / Emergency Department

(as a relative),

Admission to emergency department, then transferred to a ward. No covid testing was done in the emergency dept, despite from what I saw some of patient’s symptoms potentially being covid related.

After being moved to a ward, patient requested a covid test (RAT or PCR) but was told that should have been done in the emergency dept, and is no longer compulsory anyway. No test has been done at the time of writing this.

I recall most staff are unmasked, patients unmasked, visitors unmasked. This is during a covid wave. This is disappointing given that I understand other hospitals have reinstated mask mandates.

There are seemingly no HEPA purifiers on the ward to minimise risk of airborne transmission.

I feel that staff do not seem to understand that covid is airborne and can linger in the air for hours. I believe the lack of masking during a wave is indicative of that. Given nosocomial covid has a mortality rate of approx 10%, I would think the hospital would be interested in reducing the risk of transmission.

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Angela Karooz, General Manager, St George Hospital 4 months ago
Angela Karooz
General Manager,
St George Hospital

Submitted on 9/01/2024 at 9:06 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 10/01/2024 at 9:41 AM

Dear Covid Informed,

Thank you for bringing your concerns about COVID-19 infection prevention practices at St George Hospital to our attention.

We want to assure you that NSW Health experts continuously review, adjust, and guide hospitals in the state, including St George Hospital, on screening and managing COVID-19 presentations based on the latest research and the evolving situation.

As per NSW Health advice, patients are clinically assessed upon arrival at the Emergency Department and on the ward, with all symptoms taken into account when determining the need for COVID-19 testing. We apologise if there was any confusion or lack of clarity in our staff's discussions about the current testing protocols.

Guidance on precautions against airborne transmission is closely followed, and St George Hospital adheres to the current recommendations on mask use provided by NSW Health. Ensuring the minimisation of airborne transmission is a top priority, and the Hospital's air conditioning system is equipped with appropriate filtration measures.

Your feedback is highly valued as it allows us to continually improve our services. We sincerely appreciate your openness in sharing your concerns. Should you wish for more information or have additional questions, please feel free to contact the Patient Experience Manager at (02) 9113-2687.

Once again, thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. We remain committed to providing safe and effective healthcare to our community.

Best Regards,

Ange Karooz

General Manager

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by Covid Informed (a relative)

Please ensure that staff are made aware of what the various symptoms are with the current circulating variants of covid, specifically JN1 so that they are able to make an accurate assessment as to whether Covid-19 testing is required. As I understand it, Covid-19 does not necessarily present with typical respiratory symptoms. I believe it can also present with symptoms of gastro and nausea.

Based on my relative’s hospital experience and what they witnessed, some of the healthcare workers at St George Hospital did not appear to be adhering to current recommendations on mask use. Page 60 of the IPAC Manual COVID-19 & other ARIs (Version 4.3) states that during community transmission increase, healthcare workers should be wearing masks in clinical areas.

I am assuming you are aware of the recent media reports by NSW Health warning the public of high levels of community transmission with the current post Christmas and New Years wave. Unmasked staff were observed by my relative in clinical areas.

Ultimately, the responsibility for minimising nosocomial transmission by taking reasonable precautions lies with the facility itself.

You mentioned that the hospital’s air conditioning system is equipped with appropriate filtration measures. Can you elaborate as to what kind of HEPA filtration and how many Air Changes per Hour occur in the waiting areas of the emergency department, the emergency department and wards? Does the hospital measure C02 and air quality in these areas? Are portable air purifiers used in wards?

Response from Angela Karooz, General Manager, St George Hospital 4 months ago
Angela Karooz
General Manager,
St George Hospital

Submitted on 12/01/2024 at 3:01 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 3:18 PM

Dear Covid Informed,

Thank you for sharing your concerns. We'd appreciate the chance to discuss them in more detail.

Please contact us directly at seslhd-stg-consumerfeedback@health.nsw.gov.au or (02) 9113 2687.

Your feedback is important, and we're committed to ensuring a safe environment for our patients and the community.

Best Regards,

Ange Karooz

General Manager

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k