COVID-19 Positive Care Pathways refer to the clinical guidance and support for assessing and managing people who test positive to COVID-19.
With a significant proportion of Gippsland’s population now having received multiple doses of the COVID vaccines, the severity of the disease in people who test positive is expected to decrease with less requirement for people in our region to be treated in hospital.
Increasingly, the focus for care pathways is to treat COVID positive patients from their homes using remote patient monitoring and telehealth services.
The National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce has published evidence-based clinical guidelines to support health care professionals in caring for people with COVID-19.
The information also includes clinical flowcharts, evidence they are currently reviewing, and recommendations for preventing infection in health care workers.
A transition process to a new model of COVID-19 care across Victoria began on 1 August 2022. This transition process will be complete by 1 October, 2022. Previously, local COVID-19 care pathways were overseen by the Gippsland Region Public health Unit.
Under the new model, anyone in Victoria with a positive COVID-19 test result – via a PCR test and/or Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) will be directed to the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080. This helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Based on National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce Guidelines, patients will then be triaged to determine the potential severity of their illness and whether they are potentially eligible for antiviral treatments.
If a patient is considered at higher risk of developing severe disease or higher risk of getting unwell, the patient will be asked to get in contact with their regular GP. A notification will be sent to their local GP or GP-led Respiratory Clinic if they do not have a regular GP via secure messaging, including whether they may eligible for antiviral treatments. Healthdirect will engage with alternative practices, including Respiratory Clinics, for patients that do not have a regular GP. Healthdirect will send an SMS to the patient advising them that their GP and/or Respiratory Clinic has been notified.
For more details on the process, please refer to information on the Healthdirect’s Victorian model of care page.
The Australian Department of Health has released a fact sheet on long COVID aimed at consumers.
The website links to the resource are below.
https://health.gov.au/resources/publications/getting-help-for-long-covid
Safer Care Victoria and the Victorian Agency for Health Information have established a learning network of healthcare workers, leaders and consumers to share experiences and support the provision of care to people with COVID-19 in their homes. Access the network
Please note, the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce clinical guidelines also cover recommendations specific to the care of children and adolescents with COVID-19.
Other resources:
National and Victoria-wide support services are available for Gippsland residents with COVID-19 and/or who are required to isolate or go into quarantine.
Main office
11 Seymour Street, Traralgon, Gunaikurnai Country
13 McBride Avenue, Wonthaggi, Bunurong Country
119 Main Street, Bairnsdale, Gunaikurnai Country
Gippsland PHN is committed to providing inclusive services and work environments where people of all backgrounds, sexualities, genders, cultures, spiritual beliefs, age, bodies and abilities are valued, supported and celebrated.
Gippsland PHN acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional owners of country throughout Gippsland, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to elders both past and present.
We also recognise, respect and affirm the central role played in our work by people with lived experience, their families and/or carers.
Gippsland PHN acknowledges Alfie Hudson for the healing circles artwork. Alfie is a Gunai Kurnai man and created this artwork which represents health professionals being committed to work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members for the best health outcomes.
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