Ursula Howarth1 BHlthSci (Paramedicine), BNursing, CICP-A, GDHH, MInfecPreventionCon
1Ambulance Tasmania, GPO Box125, Hobart, Tas, 7001 ursula.howarth@ambulance.tas.gov.au
Abstract:
Dedicated infection control professionals (ICP) in Australian ambulance services have generally been in place for less than a decade, with Ambulance Tasmania employing their first ICP in late 2023. There are numerous infection prevention and control challenges specific to the prehospital environment and there is a greater expectation on having relevant training and effective IPC programs in place since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Having worked as a paramedic in a large ambulance service over 15 years, in various environments and roles, including as an ICP during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has provided relevant experiences and insight to the role of an IPC in ambulance. Now, working in a different ambulance service that has not had a dedicated ICP before, presents new challenges and areas of growth in building an IPC program fit for this service, and taking the lessons learned into this role.