Ivy Oblenda-Gabatan1, Matthew McQuilty1, Kathryn O’Brien1
1Queensland Department Of Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Background
Outbreaks of communicable diseases pose a threat to health and wellbeing of patients and increased costs to health organisations. Evidence and risk-based outbreak resources, tools and management strategies reduce the risk of an outbreak and contain outbreaks quickly. Existing resources did not meet the current need.
Method
A review of the existing Queensland Health (QH) outbreak management guideline was undertaken and comparison with existing guidelines and literatures. Key themes and trends were examined, and a gap analysis was conducted. Identified strategies and tools were adapted and included in the revised guideline.
Broad consultation across QH Hospitals were undertaken and feedback was incorporated.
Results
Key gaps identified in existing published guideline:
- Prevention
- Planning and preparation
- Early identification
- Early risk assessment
- Defined data management and reporting
- Ill-defined governance
Key outbreak tools and resources developed:
- generic outbreak control trigger tool
- risk matrix, communication log and sample scripts
- planning and preparation tools and matrix
- early identification tool
- formal risk assessment tool
- data management and reporting matrix
- governance structure and risk communication
Conclusion
New resources were developed to support an outbreak response. Broad consultation was conducted with input from health professionals to ensure strategies and tools to reduce risk were incorporated. Healthcare facilities now have a range of resources to support appropriate PRRR activities. Increased awareness of the framework is essential to establish confidence in the selection of Infection Prevention Control interventions during outbreaks and promote safer patient outcomes.
Biography
I am a Clinical Nurse Consultant -IPC for Communicable Disease Branch of Queensland Department of Health. After having trained and registered as RN in Philippines, New Zealand and Australia, I completed the Graduate Certificate in IPC from Griffith University and Master in Infectious Disease Intelligence from UNSW. My 31 years of experience in various nursing specialties including 10 years in infection prevention and control is focused on education, immunisation, outbreak response, public health, research, surveillance, hand hygiene and epidemiology. I am also a member of the WHO GOARN since 2019 and an ACIPC advance level credentialed ICP.