Mrs Belinda Andrews1, Mrs Michelle Doidge1, Mrs Cherie Andrews1, Mr Garry Woolnough1, Mrs Belinda Henderson1,2
1Queensland Health, Herston, Australia, 2GOARN/WHO, Herston, Australia
Biography:
Belinda Andrews is an Infection Prevention and Control CNC with the Queensland Infection Prevention and Control Unit and a facilitator for the Foundations of IPC course. Belinda holds a Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and a Master of Management. Belinda is credentialled as an Expert Infection Control Practitioner with ACIPC.
Abstract:
Background
Environmental cleaning is fundamental to healthcare-associated infection (HAI) prevention, yet historically many cleaning services operate in parallel rather than in partnership with infection prevention and control (IPC) programs. The Queensland Infection Prevention and Control Unit (QIPCU) established systematic engagement with the Strategic Operational Services Unit (SOSU) to embed IPC expertise within operational cleaning services across Queensland Health facilities.
Methods
A multi-faceted collaboration model was implemented including: (1) QIPCU representation at monthly statewide SOSU meetings to facilitate relationship-building between cleaning staff and IPC professionals; (2) joint development of statewide cleaning guidelines incorporating evidence-based IPC principles; (3) participation in auditing training and hospital site visits to evaluate cleaning program effectiveness; (4) co-creation of educational resources, including a Queensland Health cleaning video demonstrating fundamental IPC room decontamination techniques; (5) review and IPC input into statewide cleaning contract specifications; and (6) provision of technical guidance on disinfectant chemistry and antimicrobial product selection for healthcare settings.
Results
This structured partnership created bidirectional knowledge transfer, enabling operational cleaning staff to understand infection transmission pathways while ensuring IPC professionals appreciate environmental services constraints and capabilities. Embedding IPC considerations into procurement specifications, training materials, and audit frameworks established sustainable infection prevention practices within cleaning operations rather than treating them as separate functions.
Conclusion
The QIPCU-SOSU partnership highlights that systematic collaboration between IPC and environmental services units is important for a successful infection prevention and control program. By integrating IPC expertise into cleaning guidelines, contracts, training, and operations, Queensland Health has established an infrastructure where infection prevention becomes intrinsic to environmental services rather than an external requirement.