A Year in Infection Control; The High-Risk Immunocompromised Host

Dr Freya Langham¹, Dr Priya Garg² 

¹ Royal Hobart Hospital
² ASID HICSIG

Biography:

Priya is an Infectious Diseases Staff Specialist at Westmead Hospital, Sydney, PhD candidate at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, lead investigator of the Australasian INTERACT and PROSPER studies, and is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council Postgraduate scholarship. She has a sub-specialist interest in the prevention and surveillance of infection in the cancer/transplant population, is the Deputy Chair of the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases Healthcare Infection Control Special Interest Group and previously authored a book chapter on infection prevention and control in oncology and immunocompromised patient settings for Elsevier.

Abstract:

Introduction

In the context of enhanced diagnostics, transplant opportunity, prolonged survivorship and novel immune therapies, the immunocompromised host population is an expanding and vulnerable cohort. Infection is a significant threat, responsible for substantial morbidity, mortality, critical care use, bed days and healthcare expenditure. The principles of infection prevention and control are a critical pillar in helping reduce infection transmission risk for this susceptible patient population.

Methods/ Results

This presentation will provide a targeted review of selected and impactful international infection prevention and control research, tailored to the management of the high-risk immunocompromised host (cancer/transplant cohort). Study strengths and weaknesses will be highlighted, alongside opportunities for future research and meaningful outcomes which could influence practice-change within the Australasian clinical environment.

Conclusion

As the complexity and burden of high-risk immunocompromised populations grow, there is a critical need to adapt and reframe the hierarchy of controls to reduce infection risk. This presentation will summarise key and recently published works, with a focus upon evaluation and optimisation of healthcare systems and clinical practice in high-risk settings.