Sunshine Coast health workers are adjusting their usual hospital operations in response to a potential influx of local COVID-19 patients.
As an unprecedented crisis, the coronavirus pandemic has demanded new technologies and healthcare plans to reduce the spread of infection.
Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital (SCUPH) Registered Nurse Jenna Philpot said COVID-19 response departments have launched simulations to prepare health workers for coronavirus care.
“We’ve been running … scenarios for the last few weeks … so that everyone is exposed to what is expected of them if we get a COVID patient,” she said.
“All potential or high-risk patients are going to the public [department] and the private is set up as an extra precaution if we’re required to take overflow.”
Ms Philpot said staff at SCUPH have also undergone training for wearing and removing personal protective equipment.
COVID-19 spreads in liquid particles or “aerosols through procedures that we particularly do in theatres and incubation … so we have got designated theatres for donning P.P.E. and doffing,” she said.
Senior Clinical Nurse Kylie Bartholomew, who manages emergency at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH), said her department has also carried out changes to usual operations.
“We have changed our clinical spaces in allowing for one whole clinical area that has single rooms, isolated areas and negative pressure rooms … to be used purely for query coronavirus or positive coronavirus patients,” she said.
“We have a whole respiratory ward designated for COVID-19 patients.”
“We have had to source extra ventilators and … our intensive care units have obviously been preparing for extra beds and ventilators.”
A report published by the Medical Journal of Australia found that ICUs nation-wide could triple their intensive care beds to meet a surge in cases, but risked a lack of invasive ventilators.
The report also highlighted the need for an increase in clinical and nursing staff numbers.
To prevent staff arriving and leaving the hospital in contaminated uniforms, “we’ve had alternate scrubs provided [so] they can … change and shower here,” Ms Bartholomew also explained.
“There’s also been provision for those who are concerned about being present with family members, [so] they have been given alternate accommodation.”
While Sunshine Coast health services have reported fewer than five active cases as of May 8, Ms Bartholomew said SCUH has admitted an average of 20 to 24 patients with coronavirus concerns.
“It’s at these times that we certainly rely on experience,” she said.
“I believe there’s other staff now even stepping into roles that they haven’t played for a long time, mainly just to be of use and provide patient care at this time.”
Although the Queensland Government recently relaxed coronavirus restrictions, Ms Philpot said it is important to stay alert and keep flattening the curve.
“Wash your hands, follow the guidelines, protect the vulnerable,” she said.
“Don’t become complacent; even though everyone keeps saying we’re doing a good job, there’s still potential for those clutters to happen.”
For more information on the Queensland COVID-19 response, visit https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/
