The Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) has welcomed the acknowledgement of aerosol transmission of COVID-19 by the Victorian Healthcare Worker Infection Prevention and Wellbeing Taskforce
ASA President Dr Suzi Nou said the Society has been advocating for this acknowledgement to help improve the safety measures required to protect healthcare workers including anaesthetists on the frontline of this pandemic.
“The Mode of Transmission Statement issued by the Taskforce outlines how SARS-CoV-2 can also be transmitted via aerosols in specific circumstances and that it is well recognised during aerosol generating procedures in a healthcare setting”,” said Dr Nou.
“This is a great step to acknowledge the potential for aerosol spread and for more stringent safety measures to be taken including the requirement of particulate filter respirators such as P2/N95s in all care interactions for patients with COVID-19. We still are keen to see input from the occupational health and safety experts on higher order controls such as ventilation.
“Strengthening PPE requirements and other occupational health and safety systems will go a long way to control the spread of COVID in healthcare settings and in the community.
“I have been proud to represent anaesthetists on the Victorian Healthcare Worker Infection Prevention and Wellbeing Taskforce and to work closely with other specialties to advocate for our healthcare workers on the frontline.
“We look forward to seeing other states around Australia follow this lead,” Dr Nou said.
The Mode of Transmission Statement is included in the October 23 update here:
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorian–healthcare–worker–covid–19–data