Speech Pathology Australia Guidance for Service Delivery, Clinical Procedures and Infection Control During COVID-19 Pandemic
Speech Pathology Australia. (2020).
Melbourne (Australia): Speech Pathology Australia, 1-27.
This guideline from Speech Pathology Australia provides recommendations related to speech pathology procedures, service delivery, and infection control during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The following summarized recommendations should be considered with local conditions, laws, and resources.
The Speech Pathology Association of Australia
<div>During the COVID-19 pandemic, consider the use of telepractice, physical distancing combined with a transparent barrier, use of caregiver models, use of videos/pictures, and the use of voice amplifiers to overcome the treatment challenges imposed by clinician masking.</div>
<p>Standard precautions should be used for all clients. Contact and droplet precautions (e.g., gown, gloves, eye protection) should be used with individuals with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, while airborne precautions (e.g., fitted N95 mask, gown, gloves, eye protection) are necessary when performing aerosol generating procedures on individuals with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. When there are high rates of uncontrolled spread in a community, airborne precautions should be used for all clients when there is a risk for exposure to aerosols. </p>
<p>Speech pathologists should ensure that they are trained on the appropriate technique to don and doff personal protection equipment. </p>
<p>Speech-language pathology is an essential service and should continue to be provided during the COVID-19 pandemic with the use of proper precautions and patient screening.<br><br></p>
<p>Speech-language pathologists who have paused services or have implemented remote service delivery should conduct a risk assessment and implement a risk mitigation policy, including specific considerations for aerosol generating procedures, prior to resuming in-person clinical services.</p>
