Project Report
'COVID on Country': an innovative model safely supporting high-risk patients in Central Australia
AUTHORS
Mardi Steere1 FAAP, FACEP, FRACP, Executive General Manager Medical and Retrieval Services RFDS, Associate Professor Charles Darwin University
Samuel Goodwin2 Executive Director Medical Services
Fergus W Gardiner3 PhD, Director National RFDS COVID-19 Response
Debra Gray4 General Manager Pandemic Response
David Carpenter5 Flight Nurse Manager
Anthony Pryzibilla6 BSc (Hons), Operations Manager
Simon Quilty7 FRACP, Senior Lecturer and PhD Candidate *
AFFILIATIONS
1 Royal Flying Doctor Service, RFDS Central Operations, 1 Tower Road, Adelaide, SA 5950, Australia; and Menzies School of Medicine, Charles Darwin University, Ellengowan Drive, Brinkin, NT 0909, Australia
2, 5, 6 Royal Flying Doctor Service, RFDS Central Operations, 1 Tower Road, Adelaide, SA 5950, Australia
3 Royal Flying Doctor Service Australia, Level 2, 10-12 Brisbane Avenue, Barton ACT 2600; and National Centre of Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Mills St, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
4 Alice Springs Hospital, 6 Gap Rd, Alice Springs, NT 0870, Australia
7 National Centre of Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Mills St, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
ACCEPTED: 26 August 2022
early abstract:
Context: Central Australia encompasses a vast landmass consisting of multiple very remote communities. Remote living people place high value of receiving treatment closer to home.
Issues: When the COVID pandemic arrived in Central Australia in early 2022, there was extreme pressure placed on aeromedical retrieval and acute healthcare service capacity.
Lessons Learned: With a carefully executed approach to resource allocation and service delivery location, we have demonstrated a safe and effective way of risk stratifying patients and providing safe and effective provision of acute care on country, saving resources and providing services in a culturally appropriate paradigm.