Continuing to deliver cardiac care and keeping patients and staff safe is our top priority. As we enter the flu season and with the uncertainty of COVID-19, we remain committed to providing ongoing rapid access to high quality care for patients with heart disease, particularly for those who are high risk or have multiple comorbidities.
People with underlying heart disease and hypertension appear to be at increased risk of a poor outcome if infected with SARS-CoV-2.
As 1-in-2 Australians aged 65+ years have cardiovascular disease, at-risk Australians are urged to to ensure that follow-up appointments are kept and that if their condition changes they should seek medical attention.
To protect our patients and staff, GenesisCare has implemented a number of precautionary measures in our practices, including risk assessment screening, increased cleaning rounds, temperature checking, infection control training refreshers for staff, appropriate social distancing within the clinics and limiting visitors.
We are committed to providing continuing access to cardiac care and we are following strict hygiene protocols to protect our patients should they require a face to face consultation.
Where appropriate, patients may access their consultation via telehealth, according to MBS eligibility criteria. Telehealth consultations can be via phone or videoconference and are bulk billed based on the temporary Medicare item numbers approved for COVID-19 telehealth consultations.
Please ensure all patient referrals are current.
You can find further information on our telehealth services page, or contact your local centre.
Where required, both public and private patients are still able to attend our centres for non-invasive testing and urgent procedures.
GenesisCare has introduced a range of measures to ensure patient and staff safety.
We are complying with the evolving advice from state and national authorities. We have implemented a range of measures to make sure patients can access the care they need and limit their risk of COVID-19.
Our key focus is to continue providing safe and clean facilities.
All team members and guests are asked to practice increased vigilance for hygiene and infection control.
Our patient risk assessment processes are in place and our team follow best practice guidelines for assessing patients before and upon arrival to our centres.
All visitors and carers are being asked not to attend our centres, unless required for physical support of patients.
We are following Australian Government measures to keep our teams and patients safe.
Our emergency response plan will be activated if a patient and/or team member becomes infected.
We are committed to making sure patients can continue to access cardiac care safely.
We have introduced the following measures to provide optimal safety for cardiac testing for our patients and our teams.
COVID-19 pre-screening prior to your non-invasive cardiac testing appointment.
You will also be asked to repeat COVID-19 screening and temperature testing on arrival at our centre.
We are complying with government regulations for social distancing at our centres and ask that you do as well. Please arrive no more than 10 minutes before your scheduled time. We are also scheduling our appointments to ensure minimum exposure and contact with other patients booked on the same day.
We ask that you attend your appointment alone. Your care person should remain in the car or at home unless required for physical support.
We have hand sanitiser available at all our centres and follow strict infection control guidelines. We are also not providing any beverages or newspapers/magazines to minimise the risk of infection at our centres. Bed linen has been removed and beds are disinfected following each appointment.
Our staff have personalised protective equipment (PPE) available and will be wearing a mask and gown. Time spent by our testing staff within the testing room is being reduced and minimised without compromising the quality of your test and results.
Minimal contact with our staff is encouraged following your test and hand sanitiser is available. Where possible, we aim for payment options that minimise cash and paper handling.
From the information currently at hand people with cardiac diseases appear to be at a greater risk of more severe COVID-19 morbidity and mortality.
We recommend that patients with cardiac issues are followed up appropriately and that patients who develop cardiac symptoms are referred.
Yes, our centres are open and our team are here to help your patients receive the best possible care. Keeping patients and our team safe is our top priority.
Keeping our patients and staff well and safe is our first priority. Ensuring appropriate care for patients with active COVID-19 infection should be done on a personalised basis. Therefore patients with active COVID-19 infections should not be referred to our clinics but rather a call with one of our cardiologists to determine the best course of action should be undertaken and then the appropriate referral pathway recommended.
Continuing to deliver cardiac care and keeping patients and staff safe is our top priority. We understand that health care professionals are facing an unprecedented burden with COVID-19 and we are committed to continuing to provide access to quality cardiac care. Please contact us if you would like to discuss care options available for your patients.
Contact your local centre or cardiologist for more information.
