{"id":8921,"date":"2022-01-24T16:04:43","date_gmt":"2022-01-24T06:04:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/staff-news\/?p=4314"},"modified":"2022-01-24T16:04:43","modified_gmt":"2022-01-24T06:04:43","slug":"ed-tpch-20220124-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/extranet\/facility-messages\/ed-tpch-20220124-2","title":{"rendered":"Message from TPCH Executive Director"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Tami

Tami Photinos, Executive Director The Prince Charles Hospital<\/p><\/div>\n

Welcome to what we expect will be another big week. Our teams continue their work to support the current Tier 4<\/a> COVID-19 response, making the necessary changes to our practices to ensure we can meet the current demands on our services. I encourage you to read the daily Metro North Incident Controller messages, as these are our single point of truth for any updates and changes relating to Metro North\u2019s response.<\/h4>\n

A few updates today:<\/p>\n

Collaboration with private partners<\/h2>\n

Today, TPCH commenced the direct transfer of eligible, non-COVID-19 patients to our private partner, St Vincent\u2019s Private Hospital Northside. This is one of a number of strategies to help build additional capacity across Metro North, so we can provide care to the increasing number of COVID-19 patients who require hospital admission.<\/p>\n

Coordinating these transfers is a significant undertaking by staff at both TPCH and St Vincent\u2019s, and I would like to acknowledge and thank everyone involved in supporting this important strategy.<\/p>\n

Ward 1E access changes<\/h2>\n

Yesterday, Ward 1E opened as a clinical area to care for COVID-19 patients. As a result, temporary zip walls have been installed to assist with restricting access to this area.<\/p>\n

This means that staff requiring access to clinical areas and services on Level 1 other than Ward 1E and the Respiratory Investigations Unit, will be unable to use this corridor, and will need to use an alternate route, with the exception of emergency situations.<\/p>\n

While we understand this arrangement may cause some inconvenience to our staff, it is essential in helping us keeping our workforce safe at this time.<\/p>\n

Emergency Department Medical Tent<\/h2>\n

Tomorrow, TPCH will commence operation of its Emergency Department (ED) Medical Tent.\u00a0 This Tent will be utilised as an additional waiting area for COVID-19 positive patients who present to our ED for care. Patients waiting in the Tent will be observed and monitored by ED nursing staff.<\/p>\n

The Medical Tent will operate from 10am to 6pm, 7 days a week.<\/p>\n

The establishment of the Medical Tent will help improve patient flow through the ED and support the timely care and treatment of patients.<\/p>\n

Mask reminder<\/h2>\n

Please be reminded that P2\/N5 masks only need to be changed if visibly soiled or when being removed for meal breaks.\u00a0This is the advice from our Infection Management Team that remains during Tier 4.<\/p>\n

Returning COVID-19 impacted staff to work<\/h2>\n

We still have a number of TPCH staff who are furloughed due to being COVID-19 positive or a close contact. To allow us to support these impacted staff to return to the workplace in the required timeframes, we ask that staff and\/or line managers email the name and contact number<\/u> of the relevant staff member\/s to: TPCHContactTracing@health.qld.gov.au<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Important points<\/u>:<\/p>\n