Jane Desborough1, Sally Hall Dykgraaf2, David Rankin3, Michael Kidd4. 1. RN, RM, MPH, PhD, Action Researcher, COVID-19 Primary Care Response Group (seconded), Primary Care Division, Australian Government Department of Health, ACT; Senior Research Fellow, Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Research School of Population Health, College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University; Program Leader, Health Experience Team, Our Health in Our Hands (OHIOH), Australian National University, ACT. 2. RN, GradCert Clin Man, Research Manager, ANU Medical School Rural Clinical School, ACT. 3. MBBS (Hons), MPH, FRACGP, Senior Medical Adviser, Australian Government Department of Health, ACT. 4. AM, FRACGP, FAHMS, Principal Medical Advisor @ Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, ACT; Professor of Primary Care Reform, Australian National University, ACT; Adjunct Professor, Department of Family @ Community Medicine, University of Toronto, TO; Emeritus Director, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Family Medicine and Primary Care, ON; Professorial Fellow, Murdoch Children@s Research Institute, The Royal Children@s Hospital, Vic; Honorary Professor of Global Primary Care, Southgate Institute for Health, Society and Equity, Flinders University, SA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lessons from previous pandemics emphasise the importance of consistent information and advice for healthcare workers (HCWs), particularly in relation to their use of personal protective equipment (PPE). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to review the consistency of advice regarding HCW use of PPE among Australian states and territories and 10 key Australian professional and advocacy organisations, against the Australian Government's national guidelines. DISCUSSION: While some recommendations expand on the national guidelines, the Australian Government's efforts to work in concert with states, territories and peak professional and advocacy organisations are evident in the broadly consistent recommendations for the use of PPE by HCWs and other people working in healthcare settings across the country. The overall consistency of recommendations for the use of PPE shows a nationwide attempt to support and protect the healthcare workforce and the Australian community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
BACKGROUND: Lessons from previous pandemics emphasise the importance of consistent information and advice for healthcare workers (HCWs), particularly in relation to their use of personal protective equipment (PPE). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to review the consistency of advice regarding HCW use of PPE among Australian states and territories and 10 key Australian professional and advocacy organisations, against the Australian Government's national guidelines. DISCUSSION: While some recommendations expand on the national guidelines, the Australian Government's efforts to work in concert with states, territories and peak professional and advocacy organisations are evident in the broadly consistent recommendations for the use of PPE by HCWs and other people working in healthcare settings across the country. The overall consistency of recommendations for the use of PPE shows a nationwide attempt to support and protect the healthcare workforce and the Australian community during the COVID-19 pandemic.