Ramon Shaban2, Dr Catherine Viengkham1, Dr Merrick Powell1, Dr Eva Battaglini1, Dr Deborough Macbeth3, Professor Julie Considine4, Professor Peter Collignon6, Associate Professor Matthew O’Sullivan5, Professor Brett Mitchell7, Professor Donna Waters1, Professor Kate Curtis1, Professor Phil Russo8, Dr Kathy Dempsey9, Ms Belinda Henderson10, Ms Annie Wells11, Ms Sam Butenko12, Dr N. Deborah Friedman13, Ms Yana Albrey14, Ms Frances Sheehan15, Ms Christine Gee16, Ms Lisa Nicolaou17, Associate Professor Mary Wyer1, Mr Nicholas Dodson1, Dr Katherine McKay1
1University of Sydney, 2Western Sydney Local Health District, 3Gold Coast University Hospital and Health Service, 4Deakin University and Eastern Health, 5Westmead Hospital, 6Australian National University, 7Avondale University, 8Monash University and Cabrini Health, 9NSW Clinical Excellence Commission, 10Queensland Health, 11Tasmanian Department of Health, 12SA Health, 13VICNISS and University of Melbourne, 14NT Health Department, 15Canberra Health Services, 16Australian Private Hospital Association, 17WA Department of Health
Abstract:
Introduction. Since the results of the seminal study on the efficacy of nosocomial infection control (SENIC) were first published almost 50 years ago, infection prevention and control programs (IPC) have evolved considerably in response to the growing understanding of disease transmission, new treatments and increasingly complex healthcare environment. We present a comprehensive examination and comparison of the global contents and structure of IPC programs, governance and professional characteristics in hospitals across time and jurisdiction.
Methods. Two scoping reviews were completed for white and grey literature on infection control programs and professional practice in hospitals published between 1980-2025. Articles were analysed content analysis to identify and describe the most common elements.
Results. 205 articles were included across both reviews. Almost 60 unique IPC program elements were identified, with the most common being surveillance, education and training, hand hygiene, and the development of IPC policies and guidelines; which were included in between 75-86% of articles. Governance was primarily centred around the IPC lead and committee, both of which appeared far more frequently compared all other governance structures. Both the number of governance requirements and program elements have increased over time, with program elements more than doubling over the last 50 years. Practice requirements for the ICP followed similar trends and closely reflected program elements, however the professional competencies, qualifications and training for the ICP have been largely inconsistent and varied over time.
Conclusion. IPC programs and the scope of practice of ICPs have increased considerably in scale and complexity in the last 50 years; however significant heterogeneity remains across even contemporary literature today. Implications and plans for future research in Australia will be discussed.