Dr Angela Willemsen1, Associate Professor Simon Reid1, Associate Professor Rowland Cobbold1, Associate Professor Justine Gibson1, Dr Kathryn Wilks2
1The University of Queensland, Herston, Brisbane, Australia
2Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service, Birtinya, Australia
Introduction: Environmental cleaning in healthcare organisations is a key infection prevention and control (IPC) measure to help prevent the transmission of pathogens. In veterinary practice, the transmission between, to, and from animals must also be considered.
Veterinary practices are fee for service businesses, ranging from single person to corporate enterprises. Staffing commonly consists of veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses (VNs). Cleaning is generally performed by VNs who perform other tasks including reception and patient care. Cleaning guidelines for common surfaces are available for veterinary practices but are less comprehensive than human healthcare guidelines. Few studies have focused on environmental cleaning within veterinary practice.
Methods: A knowledge, attitudes and practices questionnaire was distributed to Australian veterinary staff. The digital web-based questionnaire was developed by considering` questions from existing IPC studies and guidelines. Four focus groups were conducted to explore some of the questionnaire responses. A semi-structured question guide was developed to stimulate discussion about IPC behaviours and practices. Key issues included understanding of, and factors preventing effective IPC.
Results: Many different veterinary registered and domestic products were used for cleaning work benches, consultation tables, contaminated surfaces and floors. Veterinarians (87%) often relied on VNs regarding which products to clean with. Veterinarians (69.9%) were less likely to know products/concentrations to clean surfaces contaminated with canine parvovirus. Lack of time, and resources, and work culture contributed to poor cleaning.
Conclusion: Effective environmental cleaning is impacted by workload, culture and time. Supporting veterinary practices with accurate knowledge and resources may contribute to improved cleaning.
Biography: Angela is a practicing small animal veterinarian who completed a PhD last year (UQ School of Public Health). Her research investigated IPC practices in small animal veterinary practices. Her interest in public health developed with her first career as a registered nurse and became broader as she identified similarities and differences in health care between humans and animals. Her goal is to improve infection control practices for veterinary staff. She volunteers with a national service providing free veterinary care to homeless / at risk pets and works in palliative and end-of-life care, human infection prevention and control education and academia.