Infection control (including PPE)

Useful PPE resources  

• RACGP:
  • Infection prevention and control guidelines for general practices and other office-based and community-based practices
  • Optimising the use of personal protective equipment in general practice during COVID-19
• Australian Government:
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) for the health workforce resources
• Queensland Health:
  • Infection prevention and control guidance (including PPE advice)
  • Guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers in the context of COVID-19 

NQPHN funded APNA and subject matter expert Megan Reilly to deliver webinars for all general practices and pharmacies with information on how to apply infection prevention control in practices/pharmacies and keep the doors open. 

View the third and final webinar, which mirrors the content in the previous two webinars delivered.

Other infection control resources

The following resources are available to assist with the management of infection control: 

• COVID-19 Infection Control Online Training Module   
• Guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers in the context of COVID-19 (Australian Government Department of Health) 
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) guidance for Queensland clinicians (Queensland Health) – includes videos on donning and doffing of PPE. 

For the latest clinical practice guidelines in the North Queensland region, please refer to HealthPathways. 

Other useful links 

• RACGP Infection prevention and control guidelines
• RACGP Infection control principles for consulting with suspected cases for COVID-19  
• RACGP – COVID-19 infection-control principles 
• RACGP Patient Alert Posters

Fit testing of P2/N95 masks

Specifically for GPs who are prepared and able to undertake specimen collection in their surgeries. P2/N95 respirators are only required for aerosol generating procedures. 

The Queensland Health Fit Testing of Particulate Filtration Respirators (PFR or P2/N95 respirators) in respiratory protection programs Guidance Document (Fit Testing Document) has been developed to provide guidance and recommendations for decision-makers and healthcare workers (HCWs) in Queensland to support the safe and practical integration of fit testing into respiratory protection programs. 

The following online resources are also available about P2/N95 mask fit checking: 

• Queensland Health P2/N95 mask fit checking
• Further information for health professionals about fit-testing and fit-checking of P2/N95 masks and the use of PPE equipment can be found here. 
• Resp-Fit has comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions.