NSW Health established clinical communities of practice to support the NSW Health response to COVID-19.
The ACI is leading 12 of these communities, bringing our networks of clinicians together with representatives from local health districts and specialty health networks in NSW. The ACI has produced the following information to support clinical practices during COVID-19.
Pinned resources
Personal protective equipment in the operating theatre
Management of stable acute respiratory infections during winter surges in NSW
Clinical practice guide for assessment and management of adults with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19
Timing of surgery after COVID-19 in adults
Recommendations for operating theatres during Amber alert and high community prevalence of COVID-19
Caring for adults and children in the community with COVID-19: Clinical and risk assessment
Adult and Paediatric ICU
ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) during COVID-19
Published: October 2021
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an advanced form of life support – targeted at the heart and lungs. This document provides the framework to support the provision of ECMO during an escalating pandemic, aimed at informing local policies and procedures.
Paediatric patients requiring ICU during COVID-19
Published: July 2021
Recommendations for the management of paediatric patients requiring intensive care.
NSW adult intensive care services pandemic response planning
Published: October 2021
This document provides guidance to NSW local health districts for the delivery of adult intensive care services during a respiratory pandemic.
Adult intensive care workforce report in COVID-19 pandemic
Published: October 2021
This report provides recommendations to support adult intensive care surge demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be revised as the situation evolves.
Adult basic life support (BLS) guidance - Suspected or confirmed COVID-19 ONLY
Published: November 2021
This document provides guidance on basic life support for adults with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
Renal replacement therapy in the ICU during COVID-19 pandemic
Published: July 2021
This document provides the framework to support the provision of renal replacement therapy during an escalating pandemic. It should be used to inform local policies and procedures.
NSW critical care management of neonatal patients
Published: July 2021
This document provides guidance to managers and clinicians for the critical care management of neonates and babies requiring neonatal care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Intrahospital transfer of COVID positive and suspected COVID positive patients from the emergency department
Published: October 2021
This document provides the framework to optimise the safety of patients, staff and bystanders when transferring patients from the emergency department (ED) to the intensive care unit (ICU) or hospital wards, during the COVID-19 pandemic. It should be used to inform local policies and procedures.
Adult ICU and Paediatric ICU Community of Practice | Intensive Care NSW Network
Aged Health
COVID-19 and Delirium
Published: December 2020
Delirium can be a feature of COVID-19. Delirium is a common and serious medical problem that is characterised by changes in mental and physical function.
Talking to relatives
Published: December 2020
A guide to communicating compassionately to relatives during COVID-19 for clinicians working in aged care.
Caring for the wandering person during COVID-19
Published: December 2020
This document outlines the principles for caring for the wandering person in hospital and residential aged care facilities during COVID-19.
Anaesthesia
Timing of surgery after COVID-19 in adults
Published: March 2022
This document provides clinicians and patients with information to aid in the decision making about when patients should have planned surgery after COVID-19.
Recommendations for operating theatres during Amber alert and high community prevalence of COVID-19
Published: March 2022
This document makes recommendations for operating theatres in NSW during Amber alert and high community prevalence of COVID-19.
Guidance for the use of anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies and antiviral agents as prophylaxis or to prevent severe infection from COVID-19 in NSW
Published: March 2023
This document provides guidance on how to use anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies (Mab) and antiviral medications for prophylaxis or for the treatment of patients in the early phases of infection with COVID-19 who are at risk of progression to severe disease.
Managing the expanded role of anaesthetists in response to COVID-19
Published: December 2021
This document provides guiding principles and key considerations to support health facilities plan for the expanded role of specialist anaesthetists in response to COVID-19.
Managing suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients in positive pressure operating theatres
Published: July 2020
Not all facilities have access to a negative pressure room or have the option to convert rooms from positive to negative pressure settings. This document provides recommendations for managing suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients in positive pressure operating theatres.
Anaesthesia Community of Practice | Anaesthesia Perioperative Care Network
Cardiovascular
Management of STEMI during COVID-19 in NSW
Published: October 2021
The Cardiac Community of Practice recommends the State Cardiac Reperfusion Strategy (SCRS) to remain unchanged during the COVID-19 pandemic, with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) offered as the first-line therapy for patients presenting with STEMI.
Stress testing during COVID-19
Published: October 2021
Exercise stress testing is a procedure which may have a high risk of droplet spread. This document outlines the guiding principles for conducting stress testing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Medical Imaging
Information for medical imaging managers and clinicians
Published: September 2020
This information sheet applies to the medical imaging diagnosis of COVID-19 and the diagnosis of other conditions in patients with suspected, probable or confirmed COVID-19. The imaging strategies and principles for infection prevention and control aim to support staff and patient safety. The document also aims to provide information to assist with the long term sustainability of medical imaging services during COVID-19 pandemic surge periods.
Rehabilitation
Clinical practice guide for assessment and management of adults with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19
Published: August 2022
This clinical practice guide is intended for use by clinicians across NSW who provide care to adults aged 16 years and older with a history of COVID-19 diagnosis, regardless of severity or COVID-19 variant of concern.
Management of adults with COVID-19 in the post-acute phase
Published: October 2021
This document outlines a model of care to guide acute care clinicians in planning and delivering care to patients with COVID-19 in the post-acute phase.
Principals of rehabilitation
Published: July 2022
This document suggests escalation principles that may be of assistance to local health districts and/or individual hospitals as they prepare local escalation plans.
Multidisciplinary rehabilitation communication and referral - information for acute care physicians and allied health
Published: July 2021
This document provides guidance to acute care physicians and allied health professionals on referring people who are diagnosed with, or are recovering from COVID-19 to multidisciplinary rehabilitation assessment and management.
Multidisciplinary rehabilitation communication and referral – information for virtual care clinics and services
Published: July 2021
This document provides guidance to virtual care clinics and services on referring people who are diagnosed with, or are recovering from COVID-19 to multidisciplinary rehabilitation management.
Rehabilitation Community of Practice | Rehabilitation Network
Respiratory
Management of stable acute respiratory infections during winter surges in NSW
Published: June 2022
This document provides guidance to clinicians on the early management of people with acute respiratory infections during winter surge periods. It provides high-level advice and support to local health districts and specialty health networks to step-up and operationalise an acute respiratory infection diversion clinic, when needed.
Clinical practice guide for assessment and management of adults with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19
Published: August 2022
This clinical practice guide is intended for use by clinicians across NSW who provide care to adults aged 16 years and older with a history of COVID-19 diagnosis, regardless of severity or COVID-19 variant of concern.
Guidance for the use of anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies and antiviral agents as prophylaxis or to prevent severe infection from COVID-19 in NSW
Published: March 2023
This document provides guidance on how to use anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies (Mab) and antiviral medications for prophylaxis or for the treatment of patients in the early phases of infection with COVID-19 who are at risk of progression to severe disease.
Care of adult patients with COVID-19 in acute inpatient wards
Published: December 2021
This document outlines a model of care to guide acute inpatient clinical staff to care for adult patients who have COVID-19.
Clinical practice guide for respiratory support in adults with COVID-19
Published: December 2021
This document provides a framework to guide clinicians in the delivery of respiratory supports to adult patients who have COVID-19 and are admitted to inpatient wards outside of intensive care. It is designed to inform local policies and procedures.
Awake proning in adult patients with COVID-19
Techniques for proning ventilation for pregnant, obese and frail patients.
COVID-19 and high flow nasal prong oxygen (HFNPO2)
Published: December 2020
Make sure that HFNPO2 is the most appropriate intervention for your patient with acute respiratory viral illness (including COVID-19) as HFNPO2 generates aerosolised droplets that spread widely and may increase the risk of transmission of respiratory viruses to healthcare workers.
Nebulisers and COVID-19
Published: July 2021
Make sure there is no alternative to delivering medication via a nebuliser for your patient with acute respiratory viral illness (including COVID-19) as nebulisers generate a high level of aerosolised particles that spread widely and may infect staff and other patients.
Physiotherapy and COVID-19
Published: December 2020
Make sure respiratory physiotherapy techniques are the most appropriate intervention for your patient with acute respiratory viral illness (including COVID-19) to protect both patient and the risk of transmission of respiratory viruses to healthcare workers.
Non-invasive ventilation (NIV)
Published: July 2021
Make sure that non-invasive ventilation is the most appropriate intervention for your patient with acute respiratory viral illness (including COVID-19) as non-invasive ventilation (CPAP/BIPAP) generates a high level of aerosolised droplets that spread widely and may increase the risk of transmission of respiratory viruses to healthcare workers.
Lung function testing in COVID-19
Published: December 2020
Make sure that lung function testing is needed at this time for your patient. Asymptomatic patients may be infected with acute respiratory viral illnesses (including COVID-19) and may increase the risk of transmission of respiratory viruses to healthcare workers.
Delivering pulmonary rehabilitation via telehealth during COVID-19
Published: December 2020
This document has been developed to assist pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programs to continue to provide patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides organisational models of PR and options for the delivery of home-based PR supported by telehealth (i.e. telephone or videoconferencing).
Rehabilitation following COVID-19 in the pulmonary rehabilitation setting
Published: December 2020
This document provides a guide for pulmonary rehabilitation programs in delivering rehabilitation within existing programs (outpatient or community settings) for people recovering from COVID-19 who have persistent impairments that would respond to pulmonary rehabilitation.
Management of adults with COVID-19 in the post-acute phase
Published: October 2021
This document outlines a model of care to guide acute care clinicians in planning and delivering care to patients with COVID-19 in the post-acute phase.
Spinal Cord Injury
Planning for disruption of supports and services due to COVID-19
Published: August 2022
If you become unwell and need medical care, your usual doctor and hospital services are still able to help, although they may use other options, such as contact by phone or video consults. If you have an emergency, you can call an ambulance.
Information on COVID-19 for people with spinal cord injury
Published: September 2021
Patient information. If you have a tetraplegia or high-level paraplegia injury and have existing problems with your lungs or reduced breathing capacity, then you may be at higher risk of having more severe problems related to COVID-19. Your spinal clinician or general practitioner (GP) can help assess your personal level of risk.
Inspiratory muscle training in people with spinal cord injury
Published: December 2020
Patient information. For people with tetraplegia, regular use of a resistance-based inspiratory muscle trainer (IMT) promotes stronger respiratory muscles and improves lung capacity. The training program has been shown to reduce the risk of developing respiratory complications such as pneumonia after spinal cord injury and is easy to complete at home using a lightweight, inexpensive device.
Spinal Cord Injury Community of Practice | Spinal Cord Injury Service
Surgery
Timing of surgery after COVID-19 in adults
Published: March 2022
This document provides clinicians and patients with information to aid in the decision making about when patients should have planned surgery after COVID-19.
Recommendations for operating theatres during Amber alert and high community prevalence of COVID-19
Published: March 2022
This document makes recommendations for operating theatres in NSW during Amber alert and high community prevalence of COVID-19.
Personal protective equipment in the operating theatre
Published: January 2023
This updated decision support tool has been developed for health workers in operating theatres during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Virtual Care
Caring for adults and children in the community with COVID-19: Clinical and risk assessment
Published: December 2021
This document provides guidance for all NSW clinicians or other staff involved in the care of adults and children with COVID-19 in the community. It outlines the standard clinical assessment and risk of deterioration assessment for these patients. This should be used in conjunction with Caring for adults in the community with COVID: Flow chart and care protocols.
Telehealth quick reference guide
Published: December 2020
Key information in setting up telehealth and where to find information on key resources, training sessions and technical support.
Virtual adult respiratory assessment – Process flowchart
Published: February 2021
Virtual adult respiratory assessment – Process flowchart
Guide to undertaking virtual respiratory assessment for adults
Published: August 2021
Virtual basic respiratory assessment for adults with acute and chronic respiratory conditions covering assessment, deterioration and escalation triggers, set-up, symptoms and infection control.
Supporting virtual visiting
Published: October 2021
This guide outlines how the Stay Connected Program is involving family members as virtual partners in the care of their loved ones. It aims to facilitate virtual visiting.
Virtual visiting using myVirtualCare (using direct call)
Published: September 2021
This guide outlines how health staff can support virtual visiting and help patients stay connected to families and carers using myVirtualCare (using direct call).
Virtual visiting using myVirtualCare room link
Published: September 2021
This guide outlines how health staff can support virtual visiting and help patients stay connected to families and carers using myVirtualCare room link.
Virtual visiting using Pexip
Published: September 2021
This guide outlines how health staff can support virtual visiting and help patients stay connected to families and carers using the Pexip videoconferencing platform.
Virtual visiting using a videoconferencing cart
Published: September 2021
This guide outlines how health staff can support virtual visiting and help patients stay connected to families and carers using a videoconferencing cart.
Last updated: 16 February 2023