Wollongong Private Hospital steps up measures to protect patients

WOLLONGONG, Australia - April 16, 2020 - PRLog -- Wollongong Private Hospital has implemented strict new measures to further bolster its safety and infection control protocols - to continue protecting patients, health care workers and visitors during the COVID-19 situation.

CEO of Wollongong Private Hospital, David Crowe, said it was business as usual for the hospital, which has not had any patients admitted with COVID-19.

"The situation is changing across Australia but we're well-prepared to manage the impacts of COVID-19 and it's now more important than ever that health care providers work together to navigate the community through this crisis."

As the number of confirmed cases in Australia continues to increase, Wollongong Private Hospital has taken precautions to limit the number of visitors entering the site.

A maximum of one visitor per patient per day will be allowed to help meet social distancing guidelines.

Anyone wishing to visit the hospital will need to be assessed against a set of criteria by staff before they are allowed to enter. They will only be able to visit if they are well, have not travelled overseas in the past two weeks, have not been identified as a close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case, have not been in contact with a suspected case, and are aged 16 years or over (exceptional circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis).

Mr Crowe said reducing the number of people entering the facility better allowed for creating safe distances between people to minimise the COVID-19 infection risk.

"Social distancing is important because COVID-19 is most likely to spread from personto-person through direct close contact with an infectious person, or through touching objects or surfaces such as door handles and tables and then touching your mouth or face," he said.

"We are asking everyone on site not to shake hands or share food, and to try to remain 1.5 metres apart - because the more space between you and others, the harder it is for the virus to spread."

Wollongong Private Hospital has also taken the step of limiting the number of volunteers, students and contractors and to postpone social events or gatherings of more than 20 people until further notice.

"Where possible, we are also conducting meetings of frontline and specialty staff via video and teleconferencing," he said.

"In the interests of protecting our maternity patients and staff, we have also postponed group maternity unit tours and face-to-face childbirth education classes."

Wollongong Private Hospital is also working to ensure ongoing supply levels of PPE by educating staff on how to wear and remove the equipment appropriately, particularly in operating theatres and critical care areas.

More info: https://www.ramsayhealth.com/