Research

Title

COVID-19 guidelines for medical or other research

These directives include the following:

COVID response framework (Department of Health and Human Services) and stratify access based on COVID Ready, Alert, Active and Peak
researchers, research participants, monitors and other research personnel must refer to the COVID Visitors policy.
ensure anyone coming to perform research activities (including students) follow the vaccination requirements for Austin Health Healthcare workers.

Austin Health does not require any specific PICFs or changes to current PICFs to reflect COVID changes. This is because management of research follows our clinical response to COVID.
Where possible, keep participants off site. This includes continuing measures such as telehealth, utilising alternative pathology, imaging arrangements and courier or drive through delivery of medications.
Only attend an Austin Health site if the medical or other research cannot be paused or postponed and there are no alternatives to onsite attendance. This includes your team and research participants.
Prior to attending on-site, participants, their carer’s and monitors must complete the Austin Health’s COVID19 Risk Assessments and screening tools.
Use (or “Scan’) QR Codes for Austin Health staff and visitors upon entry to buildings.
Adhere to current Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) directives.
Adhere to on site visitor restrictions.
Conduct remote monitoring and Site Initiation Visits where possible, if not, ensure the workstation for the monitor is located in a non-patient area and you must ensure that you comply with current Austin Health directives.

If you need further advice and to ensure you are working within our current COVID directives, please contact us.

Office for Research
Email: ethics@austin.org.au
Phone: 03 9496 5088