Covid-19 Updates
FNA Stress Reducing Strategies for Patients. Click to Open.
FNA Stress Reducing Strategies for Staff. Click to Open.
FSA 22/4/20 Covid Bulletin. Click for full statement.
FSA 2020 Conference postponed. Click for full statement.
Fair Work Australia Update - Coronavirus and Australian Workplace Laws
FSA COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
Updated Statement of the COVID-19 FSA Response Committee (24 March 2020)
COVID-19 was declared a pandemic on 11 March 2020 by the WHO.
Background
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a novel strain of coronavirus, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2. This virus is considered
to be genetically related to the virus that caused the 2003 SARS outbreak and the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in December 2019 in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Common signs of COVID-19 include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness
of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. Primary transmission is believed to occur through respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing
and contagion requires close proximity (less than 6 feet distance) between individuals (1). The role of asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic viral shedding in transmission is not fully understood (2, 3). The incubation period for COVID-19 is 3 to 7 days but can
be as long as 2 weeks from infection to symptoms (4).
The SARS-CoV-2 virus has spread rapidly across the globe (5). As at 3:00pm on 24 March 2020, the Department of Health of the Australian Government reported
2,136 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 8 deaths as a result of the disease until the 24th of March 2020.
For up to date information on the status of COVID-19 in Australia please refer to the Federal Health website: https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert#current-status.
For up to date information on the status of COVID-19 in New Zealand please refer to the following website:
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
More information about the virus, its transmission and epidemiology, as well as the pathophysiology and clinical management of COVID-19 can be found
at the following links:
https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
https://www.cebm.net/oxford-covid-19/
With these recommendations, the FSA aims to provide its members (which include clinicians, scientists, nurses and counsellors) and the public evidence-based
guidance that prioritises the needs and safety of patients and all staff involved in the provision of fertility care and is in line with the Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). This plan calls for a proportionate
response on the basis of the ethical framework agreed by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC). This framework outlines the values that need to be taken into account during such a response, such as equity (providing care in an equitable
manner), individual liberty, privacy and confidentiality, proportionality, protection of the public, provision of care, reciprocity, stewardship and trust.
Any recommendations made have also taken into account the statement by the AHPPC on COVID-19 on the 17th of March, 2020 which states that
“the health sector must continue to undertake its core functions..” and that “interventions may need to continue for more than 6 months, and must be feasible and sustainable” (6).
Reason for the update
Since the first version of this statement published on 19 March 2020, there has been an escalation in the national, state, territorial and provincial
measures against the COVID-19 pandemic due the growing number of confirmed cases in Australia and New Zealand.
It has been proposed that certain categories of elective surgical procedures need to be scaled back or suspended (7, 8), in order to preserve resources
such as anaesthetists, nurses, ICU or HDU beds, ventilators but also personal protective equipment (such as surgical masks, face shields or goggles, gloves etc) for when (or in case) the number of COVID-19 patients requiring hospital care exceeds the current
capacity.
New advice
The Fertility Society of Australia appreciates the needs of individuals seeking assistance to conceive or preserve their fertility but also acknowledges
that the overarching responsibility currently is to all patients as part of the Australian and New Zealand healthcare system.
The Fertility Society of Australia therefore recommends that, in the interest of public safety, patients who are planning to start fertility treatment
consult with their treating specialist and discuss the appropriateness of postponing their treatment.
The Fertility Society of Australia recognises that there may be medical circumstances where delaying treatment may not be advisable and treating specialists
should advise their patients if there are medical grounds to commence treatment now.
References
1.
Cascella M, Rajnik M, Cuomo A, Dulebohn SC, Di Napoli R. Features, Evaluation and Treatment Coronavirus (COVID-19). StatPearls [Internet]: StatPearls Publishing; 2020.
2.
Chan JF-W, Yuan S, Kok K-H, To KK-W, Chu H, Yang J, et al. A familial cluster of pneumonia associated with the 2019 novel coronavirus indicating person-to-person transmission: a study
of a family cluster. The Lancet. 2020;395(10223):514-23.
3.
Hoehl S, Berger A, Kortenbusch M, Cinatl J, Bojkova D, Rabenau H, et al. Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in returning travelers from Wuhan, China. New England Journal of Medicine. 2020.
4.
Li Q, Guan X, Wu P, Wang X, Zhou L, Tong Y, et al. Early Transmission Dynamics in Wuhan, China, of Novel Coronavirus-Infected Pneumonia. N Engl J Med. 2020.
5.
World Health Organization. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report – 62. 2020 22 March.
6.
Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC). Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) coronavirus (COVID-19) statement 2020 17 March.
7.
Government of Western Australia. Elective surgery to be scaled back to prepare for COVID-19. 2020 21 March.
8.
Ministry of Health NZ. COVID-19 livestream media update, 23 March 2020
FNA Canberra Mid-Year Workshop Report: May 2019
Canberra hosted the midyear workshop in May this year at The National Museum.
The Venue was amazing, with views across the lake, and a deck where we could soak up some sun in between speakers.
Friday night we started with pre-drinks and Nibbles night hosted by our local reps from Merck. Many thanks to Sally, Louise for a great night.
Our pre-workshop breakfast was proudly sponsored by Bayer. Delicious mixture of pastries and fruit.
We had 103 representatives from around Australia and New Zealand, which was a great turn out for Canberra!
Our goal for this conference was to deepen our understanding of emotional, physical and historic events that may impact on our patients undergoing treatment and how we can better support them through this process. We also wanted to deliver some refreshers in reproductive health.
We had 8 speakers from quite different areas with varying academic achievements and perspectives.
Dr Peter Illingworth gave an interesting talk on reproductive endocrinology, while Dr Simon Cooke spoke about the developments in the lab, such as IVY, which will change the way in which embryos are graded and therefore chosen to transfer.
We wanted to look at the care of our patients after they leave us, so we asked Dr Farrah Sethna to speak. She gave a thought provoking speech on maximizing patients health, dealing with health issues and conditions before the patient undergoes ART. She gave us an insight of what these patients look like when they appear before her at the Antenatal clinic at the hospital, and how much riskier the mothers and babies health is if there are comorbidities present.
Alisha Polsen then took us through her job as a Fertility and Private psychologist. She gave us some great insight into how to answer the difficult questions patients ask us, and also how to look after ourselves so we can in turn, look after our patients.
Dr Greer Benett from Ferring then spoke about AMH and its correlation with response to FSH.
After having a lovely lunch, Frances Haynes from Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia – talked about finding ways to help our patients who have experienced this trauma to feel safe when having ART treatment. This was great to hear from someone who has had so much time helping patients who have experienced abuse.
Dr Cecilia Kitik spoke about the importance on exercise in falling pregnant, and the benefits of exercise on reproductive hormones. She gave us some great research examples on how much of an impact exercise makes. Cecilia spoke about what sort of patients she works as a Exercise Physiologist.
Melissa Parker took us through her day of working with patients as a midwife, with endometriosis and pelvic pain and finding strategies to help them. This was followed on by Ella Cameron, Women’s health physio, who gave us some direction in helping women with pelvic disorders to allow them to have internal procedures and be more relaxed.
We must thank our sponsors, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Merck, Perrigo, Besin and Gedeon Richter. Without the support of these groups our FNA days would not as good and we appreciate their involvement.
It was a full day of much learning and thought provoking speeches and we are very grateful to all of our wonderful speakers and to the fantastic service from the staff at the museum.
Many people had a lovely lakeside walk over to Ovolo bar, to have a crisp wine and nibbles after an educational day. It was great to catch up with old friends and make new ones, to be back with our group of Fertility Nurses of Australia.
Sarah and Emily.
FNA Canberra reps.
FNA Queensland Midyear Workshop Report: May 26th, 2018
Queensland hosted the Midyear workshop in May this year at the Sofitel Hotel, Broadbeach.
The weather was not as perfect as we had hoped for the members from the Southern states and New Zealand, but still, not too bad!
The event started with Pre-drinks and nibbles on the Friday night hosted by our fabulous local reps from Merck. Huge thankyous to Deb and Susan for a great night.
Our pre-workshop breakfast was proudly sponsored by Bayer. What an amazing start to the day!
There were 120 representatives from around Australia and New Zealand which we were very pleased to welcome, and the Sofitel supplied amazing food and great service for our function.
There were 9 speakers, all from various walks of life and experience, differing academic achievements and focus.
Our goal was to look at this conference as a way of up-skilling. The quality of speakers certainly contributed to the day. Dr. Devini Ameratunga spoke on Endometriosis and Fertility. Dr. Hayden Homer spoke so well on the future of ART in the 21st century, and we broadened our understanding of legalities surrounding donor gametes and surrogacy with Stephen Page and Narelle Dickinson.
Dylan Barrett from the Queensland Aids Council spoke on the fertility preservation needs of transgender patients and gave us a better perspective on the difficulties our transgender patients face when visiting a fertility clinic. We then listened to a psychosexual therapist Jocelyn Klug on her role in assisting women and their partners with Genito pelvic pain disorder.
We also wished to address the need to take care of ourselves in the often stressful and demanding role of Fertility nurse and coordinators. Dr. Tim O’Dowd spoke on nutrition and good health for both Health care workers and our clients. Wendy Brabazon spoke on how the age-old tradition of meditation can help get you through highly emotional times! Rhiannon Rees was our guest speaker who also focused on nurturing oneself .
It was for me, a great couple of evenings and day whereby I was able to meet up with old mates, form new contacts, and generally feel supported and proud to be a member of our unique, skilled, and caring group of fertility nurses.
Thanks, must also go to our sponsors. Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Merck, MSD, Perrigo, Besin and Gedeon Richter. Without the support of these groups our FNA days would not be as successful and we appreciate their involvement.
Rowena Martin and Margie Parry
Qld. FNA Reps
State Newsletters
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