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Thank you Milja
Great questions.
To note: ACIPC released a position statement: The use of particulate filter respirators (PFR) masks for the management of COVID-19 in healthcare: https://www.acipc.org.au/position-statement-on-pfr-masks-in-covid-19-management/
This recommends the use of respirator masks (N95/P2) during all care of a person with COVID-19.
According to the Aged Care IPC Guide and also the National IPC Guidelines the use of either mask (surgical or respirator N95/P2) in the presence of COVID -19 should be risk assessed.
ACIPC also addressed this same question with ACSQHC late last year – in response they have placed resources on the FAQ section of the Aged Care IPC Guide for which they based this change: https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/publications-and-resources/resource-library/aged-care-infection-prevention-and-control-guide
Here are the resources provided:
Infection prevention and control in the context of COVID-19: a guideline, 21 December 2023
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-2019-nCoV-IPC-guideline-2023.4
P2/N95 respirators & surgical masks to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection: Effectiveness & adverse effects
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35151628/
Personal protective equipment for preventing highly infectious diseases due to exposure to contaminated body fluids in healthcare staff
https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD011621.pub4/full
In regards to PPE for ARI and gastro – recommendation would be that its not one type fits all – but rather the type of PPE should marry with the means of transmission. i.e. if transmission is via contact, PPE should be contact precautions (gloves and long sleeve gown/apron) (scabies, shingles, infected wound, C.diff, gastro); if the transmission is via droplet and contact, PPE should be contact and droplet precautions (gloves, long sleeve gown/apron, eye protection and surgical mask) (Influenza, RSV, risk assessed Norovirus); if the transmission is airborne, PPE should be respirator, eye protection – additional contact precautions may be required (COVID-19, chicken Pox, TB)
The ACSQHC transmission precaution posters are great to identify this: https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/infection-prevention-and-control/standard-and-transmission-based-precaution-posters
Hope that helps