All Alone and Contagious – How to support Consumers when requiring Isolation Precautions to maintain their wellbeing and rights.
Mary – Clare Smith1, , 1Mlhd, Wagga, NSW, Australia
Background
Problem Statement and Problem Aim.
As a result of verbal and written interaction and feedback with Consumers, Consumers family members and Clinical and Non-clinical staff during the Pandemic of COVD-19, it has become clear that there is a knowledge gap and a need for further clarification of Consumers emotional wellbeing and rights whilst in isolation for infectious diseases including but not limited to Covid-19.
The aim of this project is to develop an easy-to-follow Consumer Brochure to better inform the Consumer and their family of their emotional wellbeing rights and ways to manage their isolation with as little impact on their emotional wellbeing as possible.
Method or Actions (What did you do?)
A Consumer Survey and Staff Survey specifically targeted at Infection Prevention Leads at sites will be forwarded to establish what strategies were implemented to ensure the wellbeing of Consumers was implemented whilst in isolation and while caring for Consumers in isolation.
Results (What happened as a result? Include patient outcomes if relevant)
The survey results will then be analyzed and a Consumer brochure that can also be used by staff in conjunction with the Consumer will be developed to ensure the rights of consumers in isolation and their wellbeing is a priority.
Conclusion (Implications/Learnings)
The implications of the learnings will be to implement the Brochure and then do a follow up of the benefits and any possible limitations with the brochure.
Biography
I work as the Murrumbidgee Local Health District Infection Prevention and Control Clinical Nurse Consultant. My role covers 2 Base Hospitals Wagga and Griffith as well as the other 29 heath care facilities across a large regional and rural geographical area with approximately 5,000 staff. I am currently studying a post Graduate in Infection Prevention and Control with Griffith University with the end goal of becoming a credentialed Infection Prevention Practitioner at the completion of the course. I am the National Standard 3 Lead with a large component of my role is to attract, educate and retain Infection Prevention leads.