In line with a COVIDSafe Australia guidance, the Commission has re-commenced conducting unannounced visits to aged care services.
While we have undertaken risk-based site visits throughout the pandemic, as a temporary measure from 16 March 2020 we introduced a short period of notice (less than 48 hours) prior to visiting a site to minimise infection risks to aged care consumers, aged care staff and our own employees. We have also undertaken a range of off-site monitoring activities on the basis of the Commission’s assessment of risk.
All Commission staff entering an aged care service will provide evidence of having received a 2020 influenza vaccination. We will continue to undertake pre-screening of our staff before entering an aged care service as well as take steps to ensure our practices on site are compliant with infection control requirements.
Further advice will be provided shortly on the next steps in relation to reaccreditation site audits at residential services.
This information was provided by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission in their latest Aged Care Quality Bulletin.
