Mrs Sarah Thomas
1Gold Coast Health, Southport, Australia
Method: Each of the clinical nurses in the departments were assigned peer mentors who met face to face on a regular basis. Being clinical nurses they were all on same levels hence peers. The mentoring happened through phone calls or even through emails. Covid has caused a barrier in peer mentoring however more interactions were happening through Microsoft teams and other platforms. Also, there was a group mentoring meeting where we formally gathered to learn and reflect and plan on individual needs.
Results: The results were team cohesiveness, reflections that led to professional growth, a space to share views resulting in empowerment. There were few members who were not open to peer mentoring as they think time is being wasted in these activities, and not seeing the bigger picture.
During the Pandemic when the senior staff were very busy with the Pandemic response we could come together and carry on the working of the Infection Control Programme with added trust and knowledge sharing.
Conclusion: Peer mentoring provide value which is overlooked in terms of quality improvement. More studies need to be taken to measure the value of peer mentoring in the field of infection control. The wealth of IPC knowledge is hard to be contained in books alone hence peer mentoring can actively help the development of the professional field and ICPs.
Background: The aim of this quality improvement study is for professional development of Infection Control Professionals(ICPs) through peer mentoring.
Biography: Sarah Thomas is working with Gold Coast Health, completed her Master of Infection Control at Griffith University and is a credentialled Infection Control Professional-E.
Sarah completed Management Diploma from National College of Ireland, worked as Nurse Specialist in IC, St Vincent’s University Hospital Dublin and has completed a Graduate Diploma in Infection Control from Royal College of Surgeon’s, Ireland. Sarah is a current member of ACIPC Membership Communication and Engagement Committee and has worked as a facilitator for the Foundations Course of ACIPC .
Areas of interests include reflective practice and mentoring in IC, device related infections and antimicrobial stewardship.