COVID-19 and APLS courses

June 2020

As an organisation we have a legal and moral obligation to provide a safe working/educational environment for our participants, instructors and staff.

The guiding principles for measures to provide a COVID-safe environment include;

• Effective and evidence based
• Match national, local state government and Safe Work Australia guidelines
• Practical and achievable
• Frequently reviewed to ensure they remain consistent with current situation

The modalities of prevention will include:

Minimise risk of COVID-infected participants attending course;

• Screening tool distributed and display poster at course entrance. (See below).  Non invasive infrared temperature measurement available if participant requests.
• Plan available to manage unwell attendees at course
• Evidence from the literature[i] and opinion from Deputy CMO Australia[ii] don’t support mass temperature screening.

Social distancing measures including;

• 1 participant per 4 m² rule
• 1.5 m separation
• Careful planning and surveying of each venue to ensure distancing

Hygiene measures including;

• Hand hygiene, provision of hand sanitizer and hand washing facilities
• Cough etiquette
• Ceasing BLS mouth to mouth training and substituting BVM ventilation
• Regular cleaning of surfaces, furniture, equipment in accordance with recommendations
• Display of advisory posters
• Individual catering with no sharing meals/beverages etc

Implement protective measures where social distancing is impossible, eg during scenario and skills teaching. Strategies include;

• Surgical face masks when <1.5 m distance
• Strict hand hygiene with gloves available before/after contact with equipment
• Cleaning of equipment, mannikins with Clinell wipes (or alternative) between users

Covid 19 health screening questions

1.    Do you feel unwell with any cold or flu like symptoms such as cough, sore throat, headache, fatigue or body aches?

2.    Do you/have you felt feverish, had night sweats or had a high temperature recorded recently?

3.    Have you been on a cruise ship or arrived from overseas or interstate in the last 14 days?

4.    Have you been in contact with someone that is a suspected (being tested) or confirmed COVID-19 case in the last 14 days?

If you answer yes to any of these questions please don’t attend the APLS provider course. A thermometer is available to check your temperature at the course should you develop symptoms that are of concern.