8.1. Acronyms and abbreviations
| Acronym | Description |
|---|---|
| ABHR | alcohol-based hand rub |
| aBL | antiviral blue light |
| ACH | air changes per hour |
| AGB | aerosol-generating behaviour |
| AGP | aerosol-generating procedure |
| ACIPC | Australian College for Infection Prevention and Control |
| ACSQHC | Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Health Care |
| ARI | acute respiratory infection |
| BiPAP | bilevel positive airway pressure |
| CDC | Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (United States of America) |
| CDNA | Communicable Diseases Network Australia |
| COVID-19 | Coronavirus disease 2019 |
| CPAP | continuous positive airway pressure |
| ED | Emergency Department |
| EPA | Environmental Protection Authority Victoria |
| GP | general practitioner |
| HEPA | high efficiency particulate air |
| HVAC | heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning |
| HCW | healthcare worker |
| ICEG | Infection Control Expert Group |
| IPC | infection prevention and control |
| LPHU | Local Public Health Unit |
| NHMRC | National Health and Medical Research Council |
| NEPT | non-emergency patient transport |
| PCR | polymerase chain reaction (test for COVID-19) |
| PPE | personal protective equipment |
| RCF | residential care facility (includes RACF) |
| RACF | residential aged care facility |
| RAT | rapid antigen test |
| SARS-CoV2 | severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 |
| SCOVID | suspected COVID-19 |
| TGA | Therapeutic Good Administration |
| WHO | World Health Organisation |
8.2. Glossary of terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Aerosol-generating behaviour (AGB) | Behaviours that are more likely to generate higher concentrations of infectious respiratory aerosols such as persistent or severe coughing, screaming, or shouting, or heavy breathing and panting during active labour. |
| Aerosol-generating procedure (AGP) | A procedure that is more likely to generate higher concentrations of infectious respiratory aerosols, such as bronchoscopy, tracheal intubation, non-invasive ventilation (for example, BiPAP, CPAP), high-flow nasal oxygen therapy, manual ventilation before intubation, intubation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, suctioning, sputum induction, and nebuliser use. Collection of nose and throat swabs is not considered an AGP. |
| Air cleaner/air scrubber/air purifier/air filter | A portable device which filters air to remove particles. |
| Clean air change rate (ACH) | The rate at which clean air volume is moved into and out of a space within an hour. This is measured in air changes per hour (ACH). |
| Cohorting (also see zoning) | Grouping individuals with the same condition or same laboratory-confirmed infection in the same location (a room, ward section or building). |
| Contact | A person at increased risk of contracting a transmissible disease due to exposure to an infected person. Contacts may be 'close contacts' which are also known as 'household contacts'; social contacts include workplace and education contacts. |
| COVID-19 | The disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. |
| Dead spot | In an enclosed space, an area where there is very little or no air movement. In these areas, any virus-laden aerosols could remain suspended in the air for prolonged periods of time. |
| the department | The Victorian Government Department of Health. |
| Fomite | An inanimate object that has been contaminated with an infectious agent. |
| HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems | Centralised conventional ventilation systems that maintain thermal comfort by heating or cooling and introduce fresh air from the outside. The fresh air dilutes or replaces potentially contaminated indoor air. |
Negative pressure isolation room (Class N) | A room in a hospital or other facility used for patients requiring airborne isolation. In addition to being at negative pressure, the room may have additional barriers such as an anteroom. |
| Patient | The term ‘patient’ is used inclusively to refer to all consumers of health care services, including patients, residents, customers, clients and guests in healthcare, residential aged care homes, supported residential settings, primary and community care settings and clinics. |
| Personal ventilation hood | A hood over a patient’s bed providing a negative pressure environment that reduces the risk of aerosol transmission to healthcare workers. It consists of a plastic canopy over a frame, a HEPA filter, and an exhaust fan. |
| Residential care facility | Any public or private accommodation facility where residents sleep, eat and live either temporarily or on an ongoing basis. This includes residential aged care facilities (including nursing homes and hostels), residential care facilities for people with physical and cognitive or behavioural disabilities, and other similar accommodation settings. |
| SARS-CoV-2 | The causative virus for COVID-19. |
| Self-isolation | Separation from other people, including those in the same household, to stop the spread of a transmissible disease. |
| Source control | A preventative strategy for reducing airborne contaminant levels in the air, for example, by using a mask to prevent the release of respiratory particles from an infected person. |
| Ventilation rate | The amount of outdoor air that is introduced into a space. It is measured in m3/hr (cubic metres per hour), l/s/p (litres per second per person) or ACH (air changes per hour). |
| Viral emission rate | The number of viral particles expelled by an infected person over a particular unit of time. |
| Whirlybird | A wind-driven turbine located on a roof to improve extraction of air from a building. |
| Zones (also see cohorting) | Zoning means designating a room, wing, ward, floor or building to accommodate single and cohorted groups of patients who have the same transmissible disease. |
8.3. TGA listed respirators
To check if a respirator is suitable for HCW use, search the TGA list at Guidance on medical/surgical face masks and respirator standards - key performance .
Follow these steps:
- Identify the ARTG number. This number may be listed on the product package, in the product information, or on the company website. You can also request the manufacturer or supplier to provide the ARTG number or a copy of the ARTG summary.
- Use the ARTG number to search the ARTG list TGA ARTG search . Key words can also be searched, including product name, manufacturer, or sponsor, although this method may be less accurate than using the ARTG number as registration may be under different names.
- Review the ARTG summary to find the Global Medical Device Nomenclature (GMDN) code.
- Use the table below to confirm whether the mask or respirator is recommended for use by health care workers (HCWs) when a P2/N95 respirator is required.
Global Medical Device Nomenclature (GMDN) codes, descriptions and recommended use
| GMDN code | Description of mask or respirator | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|
| 35177 | Surgical mask – single use For use by medical personnel during surgery |
|
| 57794 | Surgical respirator – single use For use by healthcare workers during medical, surgical, dental, and isolation procedures |
|
| 57792 | Antimicrobial surgical respirator (has an antimicrobial/antiviral agent to destroy specified pathogens) For use by healthcare worker during medical, surgical, dental, and isolation procedures |
|
| 57793 | Public respirator – single use Note: Not all respirators in this category are equivalent to a P2/N95. Check the product information to confirm classification. | Respirators classified as a P2, FFP2 or N95:
Respirators not classified as a P2, FFP2 or N95:
|
64821 64822 | Public respirator (64821) – single use Public face mask (64822) – reusable For use by the general public. Suitable for community settings and industries and as an alternative to a surgical mask. |
|
Respirators that cannot be identified through a TGA search should not be used as a P2/N95 until the ARTG listing has been confirmed.
KN95 standard respirators, are different from P2/N95, and are not recommended as a P2/N95 alternative for healthcare workers or in healthcare settings.
Respirators with ear loops are not recommended by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health COVID-19: International Respirator Purchase | CDC or the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists Guide to Buying , or Equivalent, Respirators for use in the Work Environment (2020) – AIOH.
Source: Guidance on Personal Protective Equipment for Health .
8.4. COVID-19 and IPC education
For a summary of IPC education available to healthcare workers, see VICNISS – Educational .
Training for health care workers in all settings covering the fundamentals of IPC for COVID-19 is available from the Australian Government Department of .
IPC training suitable for non-clinical staff is available from VICNISS - Infection Prevention and Control eLearning .
Training to support organisations in meeting the requirements of the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, the National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Healthcare Standards and to assist in implementing effective IPC practices is available from the Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Healthcare (ACSQH): National Hand Hygiene Initiative Learning Management System .
Ventilation in residential care – an education package is available at VICNISS – Ventilation in Residential .
8.5. Purchasing an air cleaner
An air cleaner needs to be appropriate to the size of the room and must be positioned correctly within the room. Follow manufacturer’s recommendations and seek advice from an occupational physician or IPC or ventilation professional when purchasing and positioning air cleaners.
Air cleaning device - purchasing factors
| Factor | Considerations and recommendations |
|---|---|
| Filter requirement | Air cleaners equipped with H13 HEPA filters are recommended. Air cleaners with a lower grade filter may not be as efficient in removing airborne viral particles. |
| Filter maintenance | All parts of the air cleaner will require maintenance and replacement as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Emphasis should be placed on the cleaning and maintenance of the pre-filter and HEPA filter. A HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner should be used if manual cleaning of the pre-filter is required. Effectiveness of the air purifier could be reduced if you replace the filter with a lower quality filter. Filter changes should be undertaken outdoors where possible. Where required, appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be worn as per the manufacturer’s instructions. |
| Surface cleaning and disinfection | The surface of air cleaner should be treated as a frequently touched surface and cleaned as per the department’s cleaning guidelines to prevent it from becoming a source of infection. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to appropriately clean device surfaces. |
| Noise levels (dB) and fan speed | Noise levels generated will depend on the fan speed and distance from the device. Each air purifier operates at a different noise level depending on the fan. Maximum recommended air purifier noise level (dB) for different environments:
For reference, a whisper is about 30 decibels (dB), normal conversation is about 60 dB, and a motorcycle engine running is about 95 dB. Two quiet air purifiers instead of one large unit is an option. |
| Costs | Costs relating to outright purchase or rental, filter replacement, energy and regular maintenance. Portable air cleaners are cost-effective, flexible solutions to reduce the risk of airborne infectious disease transmission in spaces where other ventilation and filtration modifications are impossible, or where building occupants seek additional reassurance about air quality. |
| Size | Size of the air cleaner should be appropriate to the space it will be used in. Properly sized portable air cleaners with HEPA filters can reduce in-room concentrations of airborne particles, including those carrying viral material. It may be appropriate to use more than one air purifier in a room. |
| Electrical | Measured in watts and amps. Overseas models need to be checked for compatibility with the Australian standard voltage and frequency. |
| Add-ons | Additional disinfection features such as UV, air ionisations, ozone are not required for infection prevention and control purposes. Some air purifiers use ionisers, plasma/ozone/photocatalytic oxidation/precipitators and UV technology. These are currently unproven technologies, and in some cases dangerous technologies. These chemicals and technologies can significantly degrade air quality by producing ions, ozone and oxidation. This can cause irritation, trigger asthma and/or degrade materials. |
For more information, see the University of Melbourne Guide to Air Cleaner .
8.6. Posters
PPE
How to put on and take off your PPE - gown and gloves together
How to put on and take off your PPE - gown and gloves separately
How to put on and take off PPE - using plastic apron
How to put on and take off PPE - using coveralls
See, How to put on (don) and take off (doff) your PPE.
Caring for your skin when wearing PPE
Caring for Facial Skin Applying Dressings Under PPE
Caring for Facial Skin When Wearing a Surgical Face Mask
Caring for Facial Skin When Wearing a P2/N95 Respirator and Eye Protection
See, Caring for your skin when wearing PPE.
Face masks
See, Face masks do's and don'ts.
How to clean your personal items used at work
How to safely clean your mobile phone
How to safely clean your laptop and tablet
How to safely clean your reusable face shield
How to safely handle your drink bottle
See, How to clean your personal items used at work.
8.7 Self-assessment tools
These tools are designed as checklists and should be used as a prompt to evaluate items that need to be in place to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.
The checklists are not meant to replace detailed, site-specific policies, protocols and procedures that every service should have in place. Instead, they are intended to assist in the assessment of COVID-19 infection prevention and control policies and practices to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission among staff, visitors and where applicable residents.
The tools do not provide links to financial assistance, grants, supplies procurement or other assistance schemes.
Services are responsible for understanding their eligibility and accessing these resources:
- COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool for Residential Aged Care Facilities
- COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool for Residential Community and Disability Services
- COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool for Non-Residential Community and Disability Services
8.8. References
Aged care
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, Partnerships in .
Cleaning and disinfecting
Australian Government, COVID-19 Environmental cleaning and disinfection principles for health and residential care .
Australia Government, COVID-19 Information about routine environmental cleaning and disinfection in the .
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Disinfectants for use against COVID-19 in the ARTG for legal supply in .
Hand hygiene
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Hand sanitisers: Information for .
Waste management
Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria, Managing coronavirus waste from a .
Hierarchy of controls and COVID safe plans
WorkSafe Victoria, The Hierarchy of .
Safe Work Australia, Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks (May .
Education
VICNISS, Educational opportunities (summary of IPC education available to healthcare .
Australian Government Department of Health, COVID-19 infection control training module for all healthcare .
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare (ACSQHC), COVID-19 .
Australasian College of Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC), Foundations of infection prevention and control .
Victorian Department of Health and VICNISS, basic level Infection prevention and control eLearning .
Victorian Department of Health and VICNISS, Ventilation in residential .
Infection prevention and control COVID-19 information
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in .
Communicable Diseases Network Australian (CDNA), Series of National Guidelines – Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) .
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, Infection Prevention and Control Expert Group .
World Health Organization (WHO) guideline, Infection prevention and control during health care when COVID-19 is suspected: Interim guidance 12 July .
Business Victoria, Business and .
Victorian Department of Health, COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019).
Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Coronavirus Disease 2019 .
Therapeutic Goods Administration
Australian Health Protection Principal Committee
Clinical Excellence Commission, COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control .
National Library of Medicine, A Paradigm Shift to Align Transmission Routes With Mechanisms - PubMed .
At-risk workers
Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG), COVID-19 and pregnant health care workers and other at-risk .
Animals and pets
Australian Veterinary Association (ava.com.au), .
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Information about COVID-19, Pets, and Other .
Respiratory Protection Program
Victorian Department of Health, Victorian Respiratory Protection Program.
Ventilation and buildings
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, Optimising ventilation for infection prevention and control in healthcare .
Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA), HVAC system strategies to airborne infectious .
Victorian Health Building Authority, Technical .
Victorian Department of Health, Maintenance standards for critical areas in Victorian health facilities.
Australasian Health Facility Guidelines (AusHFG), Health Infrastructure .
Reviewed 29 April 2025