COVID-19 patient information

COVID 19 SEPTEMBER 2022 NOTICE

We aim to maintain our normal high standard of patient care however, like most organisations at this time, we are suffering from staff absences due to illness often coming with very little notice. While we aim to ensure continuity of care, and while this may cause disruptions to our normal clinics please bear with us as we try to see urgent patients as quickly as we can.

Please be advised that it is Caring Medical Centre's policy as well as Queensland Health's directive for healthcare facilities, that ALL persons entering the clinic (as either patients or visitors) MUST wear a face mask which covers their nose and mouth. Our staff are required to wear masks or face shields unless medically exempt. As many of our patients are vulnerable to potential COVID19 infection and as our Drs visit nursing homes and vulnerable, house bound people, we do ask that while you are in the surgery that you wear a mask at all times. Should you choose not to wear a mask, are medically exempt or have forgotten one please do not enter but let staff know you are here and wait outside or in your car and we will call you in at your turn.

If you have ANY symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, fever, headache or sore throat please assume you are contagious. Please also understand, that at the direction of management, our reception staff have set protocols they must adhere to in order to keep everyone safe from potential infections including our Drs and staff so that we can continue to provide ongoing care to our patients. NO MASK, NO ENTRY!

WE HAVE A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY FOR RUDENESS, ABUSE OR AGGRESSION TOWARDS OUR STAFF AND YOU WILL BE REQUESTED TO LEAVE THE PRACTICE AND WILL NOT BE SEEN.
Thank you for your understanding, patience and adherence to our procedures.

COVID-19 Procedures:
Before calling our clinic or booking an appointment with your GP, please take a moment to read through the following information. This has been developed to help answer some general questions you might have about COVID-19. The information provided is correct as of 26th September 2022.

CORONAVIRUS HEALTH ALERT
The threat level of COVID-19 in Queensland is still ongoing and various new strains are constantly coming to the fore. With the arrival of the flu season its a concern as to how to distinguish one from the other.
For the safety of our patients and staff,:
- If a face-to-face appointment is required we request that all patients wear a face mask while in the clinic.
- We also observe social distancing >1.5m and limit the number of patients in our waiting room.
- If you have symptoms of the flu, a cold, or a loss of sense of smell or taste, then a COVID-19 test is necessary. Please refer to the Queensland Government website for a list of COVID-19 clinics and testing centres. -- - We do not provide Rapid Antigen Testing at our clinic. These can be done at home or at a local testing facility if you qualify. We do not stock Rapid Antigen Tests at our clinic. They are available for purchase at chemists and supermarkets.
- If you are unwell and have respiratory symptoms, please ask for a telephone appointment with the GP, and a safe review will be arranged.
- You are a close contact if you usually live with the person or are in a household setting (for more than 4 hours) during a confirmed case's infective period.
- Symptoms may vary from person to person but may include....fever, nausea, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, headache, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting or nausea, loss of smell and/or loss of taste. other symptoms may also include muscle or joint pain and loss of appetite.
*****Call 000 if you need urgent medical assistance.******

IF YOU HAVE A COVID POSITIVE RESULT FROM A RAT OR PCR TEST::
- stay/isolate at home for five to seven days, until you are test negative.
Rest; STAY WELL HYDRATED - Poweraid, Gatorade, Water, soups; take PARACETAMOL/IBUPROFEN; continue your regular medications; sanitise regularly using handwashing, hand gels and Glen20, use separate linens, towels and utensils from others within the household and wear a mask while around them. Where possible isolate yourself from other members of the household as much as you can.
- call Triple Zero if you experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing/breathlessness, chest pain, fainting or dizziness, severe headaches and inform the operator that you have COVID-19 and are isolating at home.
- Call 000 for any other medical emergency not related to COVID-19
- phone 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) or 134 COVID (13 42 68) for other health advice to determine if your symptoms are worsening or for any concerns you have.
- visit Queensland Health website www.qld,gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/stay... for further information.
- report your positive RAT - https://www.qld.gov.au/rat-positive/rapid-antigen-test-registration
- Most people with COVID 19 who are fully vaccinated (two or more doses) will only get mild symptoms and can be cared for at home.
- Tell anyone who you had contact with 2 days prior to feeling symptomatic that you have now tested positive; including workplace, children's school or childcare, etc.
- If you need groceries ask for contactless delivery from family and food suppliers. If you require a medication delivery check with your chemist if they will do contactless delivery or organise with the chemist for someone to pick up on your behalf.
- Continue to Clean, sanitise, wear a mask and social distance after a negative test has been obtained for at least 12 days after.

Management of COVID 19 Positive Isolation:
*Infected individual - go straight home, do not "stop" off anywhere, isolate for 5-7 days, wear a mask if around other household members; sanitise all surfaces that are touched or used; separate crockery, cutlery and cups are to be used and washed separately from everyone else's; wash all clothing and bedding separately from others and if possible a separate bathroom/toilet should be used and cleaned well. Handwashing is imperative as well as mask wearing. Glen 20 works well for surface spraying where shared areas can not be isolated. Remember to clean door/drawer handles, taps and light switches,
*Household contact of a positive case - test immediately and continue testing to day 5 if no symptoms, mask wearing outside of home (indoor and outdoor) and avoid high risk settings and vulnerable people
*Household-like contact of a positive case (spent 4 hours or more in the same accommodation) - Take a RAT or PCR test at day 1 and day 5 of the infected persons quarantine or at any time if you have any symptoms of COVID 19.
*4 hours or more at the same site or venue (e.g. work, club, event) - monitor closely and if symptoms develop use a RAT or get a PCR test and quarantine until you receive the results.

******* IT IS AT OUR DR'S DISCRETION WHETHER TO CONSULT IN CLINIC, IN THE CARPARK OR VIA TELEPHONE FOR POSSIBLE COVID PATIENTS. DO NOT TURN UP WITHOUT CALLING AND DISCUSSING OPTIONS WITH THE RECEPTIONIST FIRST********

RESEARCHING MEDICAL SYMPTOMS
Self care is very important in health.

All people are interested in researching their own health issues.

General advice for using the internet to research health issues includes:
* Using reputable sites - government health departments, university health departments;
* Google Scholar often provides good scholastic articles and resources about health issues;
* Avoid sites that seem to promote only one product, as these sites will often have biased information;
and social media as information will more often than not be incorrect
* Avoid information from friends and family as they may not have all the facts about an issue even when they experience it themselves as it could be different for every person
* Seek help or clarification from your GP if you are unsure.

Often, health professionals can give you key words to use in search engines, so that your search is more relevant to your situation.