Infection Prevention and Control Department, Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospital Group1, Infection Prevention and Control Department Rockingham General Hospital1, Dr Ed Raby1
1 South Metropolitan Health Service, Australia
Biography:
South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS) comprises of both tertiary and secondary hospitals providing inpatient and outpatient services. The Infection Prevention and Control teams across SMHS participated in the design, review of the revised transmission-based precautions posters.
Abstract:
Background
In efforts to refresh transmission-based precautions signage, the South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS) infection prevention teams reviewed and redesigned posters to encourage a risk-based approach when donning and doffing personal protective equipment and align with emerging sustainability programs.
Actions
In consultation with the SMHS IPC team and ward staff, it was decided to modify droplet precautions to incorporate the use of a particulate filter respirator (PFR) mask instead of a level 2 surgical mask. The intent was to ensure staff were utilising PFRs for patients presenting with unknown and unconfirmed respiratory symptoms.
Anecdotally, unnecessary use of personal protective equipment (PPE) was observed amongst clinical and non-clinical staff with gloves being worn in appropriate circumstances, and thus preventing hand hygiene actions from occurring. To address this issue and to align with sustainability measures, the redesign of the posters encourages staff to perform a risk assessment in relation to the task about to be undertaken and determine the requirements for gowns, aprons, and gloves.
Implementation
In January 2024 the revised posters were disseminated throughout the sits with educational updates provided to the clinical areas via their clinical educator nurses. Huddle scripts were developed and communicated to all areas of the hospitals.
Conclusion
To date the utilisation of the precautions cards has been well received with staff wearing the appropriate PFR when undertaking care for patients with acute respiratory illness and has contributed to the overall reduction in unnecessary glove use across the hospital sites.