Respiratory and Airborne Infection Isolation SOP

Purpose:

To prevent cross-infection when patients present with respiratory or airborne illnesses (e.g. influenza, COVID-19, measles, varicella).

Applies to:

All clinic staff at AIMHealth Melbourne Student Medical Centre and AIMHealth Melbourne Central Medical Centre.

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1. Screening

• Ask all patients at booking or arrival if they have fever, cough, sore throat, rash, or recent contact with infectious disease.
• Offer telehealth whenever suitable.
• Note “flu-like symptoms – telehealth advised” in the appointment.

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2. If Symptomatic Patient Attends in Person

• Provide a N95 mask immediately.
• Do not let the patient wait in the common area.
• Escort to a designated isolation room (always EXPLAIN to pt in a nice way)
  • MCMC
    • Room 3
    • Dr will conduct whole consult in Room 3 if high risk
  • 1253:
    • Due to limited space, please ask patients to sit at the chairs outside of the clinic while waiting for the doctor.
    • When doctor sees the patient, allocate a room that is going to be vacant for at least 1 hour (Treatment or Room 2)
  • A consult room that’s not going to be used in the following 1 hour).
• Keep door closed and limit staff contact.
• Inform Doctor of potential risk and where patients are waiting

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3. Staff Protection

• Reception should wear N95 mask and minimise direct contact, maintain good hand hygiene.
• Before doctor seeing the patient, doctor to wear:
  • N95/P2 mask
  • Gloves
  • Gown/apron
  • Eye protection (if needed)
• Remove PPE safely and dispose in clinical waste.

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4. Cleaning

• After patient leaves:
  • Keep the room closed for 30 min (droplet) or 60 min (airborne) before cleaning.
  • Clean all touched surfaces with hospital-grade disinfectant.
    • Only receptionists with uptodate immunisation record to suspected disease can do the cleaning.
  • Dispose of all used disposable items.

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5. Staff Health

• Staff not immunised again specific disease, such as influenza, COVID-19, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella, should handover to another staff and avoid direct contact with patients.
• Report exposure incidents to the Practice Manager.

6. Telehealth & Scheduling

• When booking patientsfor use telehealth whenever possible.
• If face-to-face is required, book at end of session to reduce risk.
• Inform treating doctor in advance.

7. Common Droplet and Airborne Infections

Transmission Type	Common Diseases	Precautions Required
Droplet Transmission  (spread through large respiratory droplets within ~1 metre)	• Influenza (Flu)  • COVID-19  • RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)  • Whooping cough (Pertussis)  • Mumps  • Rubella • Meningococcal infection  • Diphtheria	• Place surgical mask on patient immediately. • Keep at least 1 metre distance. • Staff wear surgical mask, gloves, eye protection if splashing likely. • Isolate in single room with door closed. • Clean surfaces after use.
Airborne Transmission  (spread through fine particles that remain suspended in air)	• Measles (Rubeola)  • Varicella (Chickenpox)  • Disseminated shingles (Herpes Zoster)  • Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB)  • COVID-19 during aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs)	• Place N95/P2 mask on staff and patient (if tolerated). • Use single room with door closed. • Keep room closed for at least 60 minutes after patient leaves. • Only immune or vaccinated staff should attend. • Notify Public Health Unit if required.