Dr Sita Paling1, Dr Isabella Walker1, Ms. Kate Bossio1, Ms. Teresa Lewis1, Dr Sarah Browning1,2,3
1Infection Prevention Service, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, Australia, 2Infection Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia, 3School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
Biography:
Isabella and Sita are two Resident Medical Officers working in the Hunter New England Local Health District. They are both 'Junior Medical Officer Infection Prevention Control Champions' and share a passion for environmental sustainability. Dr Sarah Browning is a specialist of Infectious Diseases and General Medicine, and the Clinical Director of Infection Prevention Services at John Hunter Hospital, NSW.
Abstract:
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen an increase in the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) with significant environmental consequences. When caring for patients with COVID-19 and other acute respiratory infections (ARI), the need for gown and glove use should be risk assessed as per standard precautions. Despite a successful ‘Gloves off’ campaign in 2023, risk assessments for gown and glove use in the context of ARI has not translated into practice change within our tertiary hospital. Building on the ‘Gloves off’ movement, we aimed to improve staff confidence in performing risk assessments to guide PPE use in the context of ARI, reduce waste, and improve consumer satisfaction.
Actions
An education campaign titled ‘Gowns Down’, was designed and promoted in partnership with junior medical officer Infection Prevention and Control Champions. Staff allocated to one General Medicine ward received education over a 2-month period, and instructional campaign posters placed at the point of care. Weekly surveys assessed staff understanding, confidence and satisfaction in use of a risk assessment-based approach, while patient surveys evaluated consumer satisfaction and confidence.
Results
Data collection for this quality improvement project is ongoing, with finalised results available in August 2024.
Conclusion
The need for improved sustainability in healthcare is increasingly being recognised by organisational leaders, staff, and consumers. Infection prevention professionals play a key role in providing leadership in this area. The ‘Gloves off’ project lends itself to expansion, and we propose that moving forward, ‘Gloves off, gowns down’, be promoted at a national level.