Coronavirus and Flu Vax Update - 15/3/20

To all of our patients,

We want to reassure you that we are taking your health seriously. Here are our latest updates.

Coronavirus and Testing

Who is eligible for Coronavirus testing?

  • If you have travelled overseas in the last 14 days and have respiratory/flu-like symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, or fever; OR
  • If you have had close contact with a confirmed case of Coronavirus.
  • If you are a healthcare worker with direct patient contact and have a fever and an acute respiratory infection (e.g. shortness of breath, cough, sore throat).

Where are the Coronavirus testing clinics?

There are now dedicated Coronavirus testing clinics operating around Australia. These sites include the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Lyell McEwin Hospital, Flinders Medical Centre and the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.  The closest to EAHC is the Royal Adelaide Hospital COVID-19 Testing Clinic and clinic is open 7 days a week from 9 am until 8 pm and is located at the North-East corner of the hospital.

Patients do not require a referral form to attend one of these testing clinics. If you meet the above criteria, we encourage you to attend one of these testing clinics as soon as possible. If you have one, please wear a face mask before attending the testing clinic.

When should you go to the Emergency Department?

If you have returned from overseas in the last 14 days and are experiencing severe respiratory symptoms or high fever, please go to your nearest Emergency Department. Call before attending to advise the hospital of your symptoms and travel history.

More Information

For further information, we have attached details about the Coronavirus provided by the Department of Health. Click here to view this. If you are worried but well or have any questions, please call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. More information is available at:

https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov

Flu Vaccines

We have not had confirmation on when we will be receiving our flu vaccinations but we know we will not have our vaccines before Easter.  Please call us around Easter to find out more information, or follow our website for updates. We are hopeful that they should be available by the end of April. Once we receive confirmation we will begin taking bookings.

Infection Control

We aim to practise a high standard of infection control, and to do this we require your help. At this time, we are also asking all of our patients to let us know in advance if they have travelled overseas in the past 14 days or have flu like symptoms so that we can implement our infection control procedures as required.

When you let us know that you may be infectious, we can implement our infection control procedures and focus on reducing the spread of disease within our surgery.

Some common symptoms that may mean you are infectious:

  • Flu symptoms - a fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, muscle aches.
  • A rash
  • Vomiting or diarrhoea

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may be infectious, and you could transmit this infection to other patients and staff while you are in the practice. Please help us reduce the spread of disease at our practices by letting our receptionists know if you have these symptoms when you book your appointment.

We may ask you to wear a mask, apply alcohol gel to your hands and you may be isolated when waiting for your doctor. If our isolation rooms are at capacity, we may ask you to wait in your car. At this time please don’t be offended if our doctors don’t shake your hands to greet you.

Now is also the time to remember that practising good hand hygiene is the best defence against most viruses. You should:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water before and after eating as well as after going to the toilet.
  • If unwell, avoid contact with others (including touching, kissing, hugging, and other intimate contact).
  • Cough and sneeze into a tissue and dispose of it after use, or use your elbow if a tissue is not available.
  • Avoid touching your mouth or face if you have not followed proper hand hygiene procedures.

We appreciate your help in assisting us reduce the spread of disease in our practices and helping us keep you healthy.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and be on the lookout for further updates which will also be shared on our website.

 

The East Adelaide Healthcare Team