Interim list of suggested planning tasks for consideration

Below are some things to consider when planning for COVID-19. While not an exhaustive list, it may be
useful to supplement the planning your facility is already doing.
Plan roles, responsibilities and communication
For your facility, consider who will be leading the response and allocate operational and clinical roles
Identify key internal and external contacts
Consider a process for keeping up to date with the latest advice
Develop a mechanism for regular updates for residents and families
Develop a mechanism for regular updates and relevant training for staff
Consider how the facility might support staff and resident mental wellbeing
Prevent infection from being introduced into the facility
Restrict visitors according to current Ministry of Health advice
Consider other ways to support residents to keep in touch with loved ones
Use communications and signage to inform visitors about restrictions and emphasise importance of hand
hygiene (e.g. HQSC posters)
Restrict staff from work according to current Ministry of Health advice
Ensure staff are aware of importance of not coming to work if sick
Prevent transmission of infection within the facility
Consider how the facility will identify and get assessment for a resident with possible COVID-19
Discuss a plan for obtaining assessment with the facility’s general practice, including a plan for after-hours
Ensure all staff are trained in infection prevention and control and the appropriate use of PPE. The video
and poster on the Auckland Regional Public Health Service webpages may be useful for training
Prepare signage for isolation rooms, including signs indicating level of precautions required
Monitor stocks of PPE
Ensure all staff are aware of, and adhere to, basic hygiene measures. Ensure that there are supplies
available (e.g. tissues, soap, alcohol-based hand-gel)
Consider reviewing cleaning protocols and ensuring these are up to date
Consider the capacity for your facility to isolate residents and identify isolation rooms, and whether
residents in isolation could be grouped within the facility
Consider ways to roster staff (for example through cohorting) to reduce the spread of infection or impact
of absences
Plan to maintain business continuity
Consider how your facility would manage the impact of absences among different groups of staff
Consider sources of temporary replacement staff and/or how rosters might be adapted to manage with a
smaller number of staff
Consider how the facility will manage if supplies become unavailable through usual sources
Ensure all residents’ care plans are up to date
Ensure high coverage of influenza vaccination among staff and residents