Outbreaks of gastroenteritis, influenza and COVID-19 can reach an aged care facility quickly, and the last place you want to find out you are short of PPE is in the middle of one. This checklist helps aged care managers plan what to hold in stock and how to avoid shortages. It is general information: the PPE your staff need depends on the type of outbreak, so follow your facility's infection prevention and control policy, public health advice and the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare.

Why outbreak stock needs its own plan

During an outbreak, PPE use can rise sharply because gloves, gowns and masks are changed between residents and tasks. Suppliers can also see a spike in demand at the same time. Holding a buffer and knowing your usage rate gives you time to reorder.

Outbreak PPE checklist

Item	Used for	Things to check
Disposable gloves	Resident care, handling body fluids, cleaning	Material (nitrile is common), sizes from small to extra large, box quantities
Surgical masks	Droplet precautions for staff and visitors	Fluid resistance, fit, comfort for long wear
P2 / N95 respirators	Airborne precautions where your policy requires them	Sizes, fit testing arrangements and staff training
Disposable gowns and aprons	Contact precautions and splash protection	Coverage, sleeves, fluid resistance, sizes
Eye protection	Protecting the face from splashes and droplets	Goggles or face shields, cleaning or disposal
Alcohol-based hand rub and wipes	Hand hygiene and surface cleaning	Placement at point of care, product suitability for your facility
Clinical waste bags and bins	Safe disposal of contaminated PPE	Capacity, colour coding, collection arrangements
Signage and PPE stations	Reminding staff and visitors what to wear	Clear instructions at each door

How much should you hold?

• Know your daily usage. Check how many gloves, masks and gowns you use on a normal day, then estimate an outbreak multiple based on your own experience.
• Set a minimum stock level. Reorder before you drop below it, not after.
• Keep sizes balanced. Many shortages are really size shortages, so hold a spread of glove sizes.
• Check expiry dates. Rotate stock so older boxes are used first.

Supplier questions to ask before an outbreak

• What is your same-day dispatch cut-off time?
• Can you supply the products on short notice, and do you suggest equivalents if one is out of stock?
• Do you hold the ARTG listing and documents for the products?
• Can you set up a trade account with payment terms before we need it?

Ordering outbreak PPE from BIOFAST

BIOFAST is a Melbourne-based Australian supplier of gloves, masks, gowns and other PPE alongside continence, wound care and personal care products. Aged care facilities can apply for a 30-day trade account (a completed credit application is required). Orders placed before 2pm normally ship the same day, and delivery is free over $199 in metro areas. Browse aged care supplies and medical supplies, or contact the sales team at sales@biofast.com.au or on 03 8905 4449.

Frequently asked questions

What PPE should an aged care facility keep for an outbreak?

Commonly gloves, surgical masks, P2 or N95 respirators where required, gowns or aprons, eye protection, hand hygiene products and clinical waste supplies. Your infection prevention policy and public health advice decide the exact requirements.

How can aged care facilities avoid running out of PPE?

Track daily usage, set a minimum stock level, hold a spread of sizes, rotate stock by expiry date and set up a trade account with a supplier before you need it.

Can aged care facilities buy PPE on account?

Yes. BIOFAST offers 30-day trade accounts to aged care facilities, subject to a completed credit application. Email sales@biofast.com.au to start.