Staff and visitors

Staff

All HCWs providing care for a patient with VHF should be trained for the respective roles they may be required to undertake. This includes how to safely don and doff PPE.

It is recommended that a trained buddy or observer be used to assist and supervise all staff when putting on and taking off their PPE. The role of the buddy is detailed in Buddy HCW role on Personal protective equipment.

HCWs who have medical or physical conditions that will interfere with the safe use of PPE should not care for patients with VHF.

Some conditions may preclude HCWs from providing direct patient care, including:

• underlying medical conditions that could affect the HCW’s ability to quickly and safely exit the room
• underlying medical conditions that could require another HCW to enter the room to provide urgent medical assistance
• non-intact skin (for example, dermatitis, abrasions or wounds)
• the inability to safely put on, use or take off PPE, or achieve a good fit with a P2/N95 respirator
• immune compromise.

Visitors

Visitors should not be permitted unless essential, for example, the parent or carer of a child with suspected or confirmed VHF.

Children should not visit because of the difficulty in ensuring adequate adherence to the use of PPE.

If someone other than a trained HCW must visit the patient, they must be trained and supervised in the correct use and safe removal of PPE.

Staff and visitor log

A log of all staff and visitors who enter and exit the room should be maintained.

Management of HCWs who cared for a patient with VHF

HCWs should closely monitor their health, including twice-daily body temperature measurements, and immediately report any relevant symptoms to their designated supervisor.

While they remain asymptomatic, HCWs can continue to work in the health care setting. They do not require quarantine if they have used adequate PPE with supervision.

If a PPE breach does occur (or other exposure), an assessment by an infectious diseases physician should be undertaken and consideration given to furloughing the HCW until the end of the relevant VHF incubation period.

Health services must advise the department if there is a PPE breach, to allow appropriate contact management.