Warrigal is getting more COVID-19 ready by trialing a new special care unit at Warilla
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The senior living provider has not recorded any confirmed coronavirus cases in any of its facilities but decided to develop the special care unit itself in its ongoing efforts to protect residents, staff and community from exposure to the virus.
As word began to spread about the trial starting last week Warrigal's Facebook page started getting many hits from members of the community interested in getting a glimpse of the new special care unit at Warilla.
The two week trials started last week as Warrigal's COVID-19 Management Committee closely monitors the challenge of managing an outbreak in a residential care environment.
The SCU is not designed to replace the need for hospitalisation where appropriate, but prepare for the possibility of an infection or outbreak of the kind experienced in other parts of Australia.
Warrigal chief executive Mark Sewell hopes it it never needed but with community transmissions an ongoing concern with the growing number of new COVID-19 cases in Victorian nursing homes, Warrigal wants to remain vigilant with its practices.
He said strict screening procedures have been implemented to prevent or minimise the virus from entering homes.
Mr Sewell said the SCU at Warilla is completely separate to the rest of the Residential Care Home.
He said the 22-bed unit is designed to isolate any customers from Warrigal's care homes, home services or villages with COVID-19 who are unable to go to the hospital but need to be isolated and receive additional care.
"Ensuring Warrigal can respond rapidly in the event of a COVID-19 health emergency is a priority," he said.
"We want to be able to provide care and isolate any confirmed cases, and the establishment of this unit will enable us to maximise isolation measures and give the best possible protection to our residents, clients and staff."
Ms Sewell said the SCU unit developed by the COVID-19 Management Committee was an additional measure to Warrigal's already robust infection control practices.
"We hope to learn a lot from this trial that will assist us in reducing any risk to the people in our care." he said.
As well as being experienced in treating people with infections, the
SCU is staffed by people experienced int treating people with infections and those who have expressed a direct interest to proactively care for older people facing the new health challenge presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
All staff working in the unit have been provided additional training, support and personal protective equipment.
Mr Sewell said one unit has been established in the Illawarra for the trial but other SCU's will be considered for other locations if the need arises.
The SCU at a glance:
- Residents - Families of 'patients' taking part in the trial have given their consent for their loved ones to take part
- Staff - The SCU is staffed by a mix of existing Warrigal employees spanning across several Warrigal locations and a small number of new recruits
- Training -20 staff members spent 3 days of intensive clinical and team building training
- On shift - All SCU staff have been trained to remain on high alert and follow strict policies and procedures as if the 'patients' have the virus
- PPE - Staff are dressed and work in full PPE at all times while on shift
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
