Epidemic And Pandemic Control Policy
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to provide a framework for the management and control of epidemics and pandemics within the Dockside Medical Hub. This policy outlines the roles and responsibilities of staff, as well as the procedures to be followed in order to prevent, detect and respond to epidemics or pandemics.
SCOPE:
This policy applies to all staff, patients, and visitors at Dockside Medical Hub. It covers all areas of the medical centre including clinical areas, administration areas, waiting rooms and other public areas.
POLICY STATEMENT:
Dockside Medical Hub is committed to preventing, detecting and responding to epidemics or pandemics in a timely manner. The medical centre will ensure that all staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities in relation to epidemic and pandemic control. The medical centre will also ensure that all necessary resources are available to enable appropriate responses in order to minimise risk.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Management Team: The Management Team is responsible for ensuring that this policy is implemented effectively throughout the medical centre. They are also responsible for ensuring that adequate resources are available for responding appropriately to any outbreak or potential outbreak.
- Clinical Staff: Clinical staff must be aware of their roles in relation to epidemic and pandemic control. They must also ensure that they adhere to relevant clinical guidelines related to infection control measures such as hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (PPE) etc., when dealing with patients who may have been exposed or infected with an epidemic or pandemic disease.
- Administration Staff: Administration staff are responsible for ensuring that all necessary information is collected from patients who present with symptoms consistent with an epidemic or pandemic disease. This includes collecting contact details so that contact tracing can be undertaken if required. Administration staff must also ensure that any patient records related to an epidemic or pandemic disease are appropriately stored and managed according to relevant privacy requirements.
- Visitors/Patients: Visitors/patients must adhere strictly to any instructions given by medical centre staff regarding infection control measures such as hand hygiene, use of PPE etc., when visiting/attending the medical centre during an outbreak or potential outbreak of an epidemic or pandemic disease.
PROCEDURES
- Ensure that all staff and patients wear face masks at all times while on the premises.
- Establish a system for temperature checks and health screenings of all staff and patients entering the medical centre.
- Increase the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces such as door handles, countertops, and handrails.
- Provide hand sanitizer stations throughout the medical centre for staff and patients to use regularly throughout their visit.
- Limit the number of people allowed in the waiting area at any one time to ensure physical distancing can be maintained between individuals.
- Encourage contactless payment methods such as online payments or card payments instead of cash transactions.
- Require staff members to stay home if they are feeling unwell or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 symptoms in order to reduce potential transmission of the virus within the medical centre.
- Install physical barriers such as plexiglass shields between receptionists and patients at check-in areas for additional protection against virus transmission.