Dr Dorothy Ling1, Ms. Barsha Baral1, Dr Victoria Madigan1
1Northern Health, Epping, Australia
Biography:
Dorothy Ling is an Infectious Diseases physician with special interest in antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention and control.
Abstract:
Introduction
Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is increasingly utilised to assess organism relatedness and understand transmission networks, however has not been integrated into infection prevention and control (IPC) routine workflow.
Methods
This study surveyed IPC practitioners on their perception of WGS. Following a recent WGS-led outbreak response, IPC practitioners were invited to complete an anonymous survey between 1st and 14th June 2024. Staff perceptions prior to this outbreak were retrospectively recorded. The questionnaire utilised the Normalisation Measure Development (NoMAD) instrument, a quantitative tool utilising an ordinal scale 1 to 5 representing lowest to highest and incorporates four categories of Normalisation Process Theory (NPT): coherence, cognitive participation, collective action, and reflexive monitoring.
Results
A total of nine survey responses were received. Coherence and cognitive participation scores increased from moderate to high (median score 3.5 and 4 respectively). Collective action and reflexive monitoring scores were unchanged at moderate and high (median score 3 and 4 respectively). Most (8; 89%) felt that WGS positively impacted outbreak management, particularly in inconclusive epidemiological investigation. Most participants (5; 56%) reported lack of training as a key barrier.
Conclusion
NPT scores were high through most NPT domains and improved following WGS-led outbreak experience, suggesting that WGS integration into routine IPC practice was positively received by participants. Participants found WGS was useful in supporting epidemiological investigation and with sufficient training, felt confident in requesting and utilising WGS in the future. The implementation of WGS into IPC workflow can be supported through comprehensive training.