Evaluation of a novel infection prevention and control response and escalation framework for pandemic and outbreak response

Evaluation of a novel infection prevention and control response and escalation framework for pandemic and outbreak response

Kathy Dempsey¹, Susan JAin^1,2, David Greenwood², Kate Clezy¹, Patricia Bradd¹, ,

¹Nsw Health Clinical Excellence Commission, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
²School of Population Health UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia


Background
The COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Response and Escalation Framework (risk matrix) first published in July 2020, was developed to provide Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) guidance to NSW health facilities in response to COVID-19 transmission risk. The framework provided risk levels and the required level of IPC precautions and risk mitigation strategies. As risk changed, and especially during situations of increased COVID-19 transmission, from a state perspective it was important to be able to escalate and provide a proportionate response with specific IPC precautions aligned with the level of community transmission and burden of illness in health facilities.

Method
A qualitative, cross sectional descriptive survey was used to assess and evaluate the perceptions of key stakeholders of the NSW COVID-19 risk matrix. Participation requested from IPC networks and committees with broad representation both clinical and strategic with key responsibilities for the framework. Feedback was collected on ease of use, accuracy, timeliness, and engagement, as well as suggestions for improvement and future proofing.

Results
Evaluation demonstrated overall acceptance, accuracy and implementation with the IPC response and escalation framework and provided some insightful recommendations for moving forward to embed a system responsive to future pandemics in addition to providing an inbuilt escalation framework for outbreak management.

Conclusion
As the pandemic response evolved the risk matrix continued to transform to a framework supporting healthcare IPC risk management despite community status and clearly able to provide a long-term response and escalation framework for use beyond COVID-19 as foundational IPC is re-established.

Biography

Kathy is a Board Director for ACIPC, Chair of the credentialling and professional standards committee and member on the Editorial Board for ACIPC journal. Is the inaugural NSW Chief ICP and HAI Advisor at the CEC, NSW IPAC COVID-19 Response Clinical Lead. Is a member on many state and national IPC Expert advisory committees. Acknowledged for her contribution as an expert on the Australian Infection Control Expert group for COVID-19 and awarded the colleges prestigious Clair Boardman medal for leadership 2022. Kathy is recognised nationally and internationally has a number of publications. Currently completing future leader of healthcare DrPH.