Infection prevention and control: Guideline for speech pathologists, Version 1,2020.

8.0

Examples of Risk Considerations • Be aware of any relevant government or organisational advice and guidelines at times of an outbreak, epidemic or pandemic. • Be mindful of protocols, policies, precautions, cleaning requirements, hand hygiene, PPE, task modifications for service delivery, risk assessment tools, documentation and reporting. • Use a risk assessment tool (e.g., Speech Pathology Australia Risk Assessment Tool (COVID-19) [SPA-RAT (COVID-19)], 15 The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) ‘Restoring service: Framework to support decision making’ 16 ). • Be mindful of item placement during a consultation or session. • Consider adapting sessions (e.g., in-person vs telepractice). If in-person interaction deemed essential, consider the length of time, distancing and positioning, location, ventilation and variation in session (e.g., a portion of the session positioned beside the client and a portion distanced from the client). • Consider own risk management as well as organisation or service’s management. • Ensure clear communication and responding processes between employers, employees and clients. • Establish a ‘personal kit’ of required items to facilitate risk and transmission minimisation (e.g., alcohol-based rub, soap, appropriate PPE, wipes, plastic sheeting, equipment covers, sealed/zip lock and disposable bags). • Clients healthcare risks can change over time. • Stay at home and seek appropriate medical advice before returning to work if unwell or display any signs or symptoms of an infectious agent. • Manage risk, provide education and discuss the need for PPE and any ventilation considerations when running choirs or groups. • Only take essentials into consultation or treatment with a client. • Provide relevant, accessible and appropriate education to clients about the infectious agent and communicate any modifications to the delivery or processes (including signage). • Consider limiting the length of interactions and identify what information can be gained remotely (e.g., a phone call, telepractice, review of the file). • Update documents (e.g., case history, clinical notes) if specific infectious agent information is required and/or modifications have been undertaken. • Encourage clients to reschedule non-urgent appointments if they are unwell.

75

Infection Prevention and Control - Guideline for Speech Pathologists | Version 1, 2020