Mrs. Stacey FitzGerald1, Ms Julie Preston2
1Child And Adolescent Health Service, Nedlands, Australia, 2ACIPC, Hobart, Australia
Biography:
Stacey FitzGerald has 14 years’ experience in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and is currently a Clinical Nurse Consultant at Western Australia’s sole tertiary paediatric hospital. She specialises in applying IPC principles in complex environments and is a trusted advisor when integrating infection control into healthcare infrastructure planning and delivery.
Abstract:
Problem
Post the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, paediatric surgical waitlists in Western Australia surged, exceeding available infrastructure. As the state’s only tertiary paediatric facility, we faced the challenge of constructing an additional operating theatre within the existing perioperative department without disrupting surgical activity. The new theatre’s location, between neurosurgical and cardiothoracic theatres, significantly elevated Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) risks, demanding innovative strategies to balance IPC standards whilst remaining operational.
Response
IPC personnel were embedded in the planning, design, and construction processes, ensuring infection risks were systematically assessed and mitigated. Innovative solutions enabled clinical and construction streams to operate concurrently. IPC maintained collegiate collaboration throughout, developing risk-based decision frameworks with clinical, project and construction teams. Risk mitigation activities included airflow mapping and construction of a fully contained hoarding tunnel. This enabled physical separation of clinical and construction zones supporting controlled air spaces. Enhanced surveillance and monitoring for dust borne organisms was undertaken to ensure mitigation strategies were effective.
Results
Early and sustained IPC involvement enabled the safe and efficient expansion of theatre infrastructure with minimal disruption to clinical operations. Surveillance data confirmed no increase in healthcare-associated infections, including surgical site, respiratory, or bloodstream infections.
Conclusions
The project’s success demonstrated the critical importance of involving IPC professionals from the earliest stages of the infrastructure project, demonstrating the fundamental principles of managing construction within high-risk environments. Inclusive, practice-based evidence, collaborative and innovative problem-solving supported the delivery of safe patient care, minimised operational impact, and delivered vital healthcare infrastructure.