Dr Nigel Barr1
1University Of The Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia
Method: A modified Delphi process was used to develop a framework to promote asepsis in Australian paramedic practice. Participants were sought nationally using a snowball technique and included professionals within healthcare who met the inclusion criteria of extensive experience in one or more of three areas: paramedicine, infection control, and evidence-based policy development.
Participants were drawn from Registered Paramedics, risk managers within ambulance services, and special-interest groups within industry bodies, such as the Australian and New Zealand College of Paramedicine, Paramedics Australasia, Council of Ambulance Authorities, and the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control. The initial survey was based on the ANTT® framework with face and content validity tested through peer review.
Results: Eleven experts in paramedicine and IPC contributed to a consensus statement regarding how to maintain asepsis in paramedic practice. Four iterative rounds were required to complete the project.
Conclusion: This presentation provides an overview of the consensus statement and procedural advice informed by the results. The guidance will allow operational procedures to be reviewed, techniques specific to paramedic practice to be developed and implemented, and scientific research to be conducted.
Background: In paramedicine, asepsis is a clinical goal for all invasive procedures despite the complexity or location of clinical care. Although a national framework for infection prevention and control (IPC) in Australia exists, this advice needed adapting to paramedicine to account for variation in practice settings and clinical practices. This project aimed to reach a consensus among experts regarding maintaining asepsis in paramedic practice.
Biography: Dr Barr has extensive experience in the healthcare, emergency medical services, and education sectors. Previously an intensive care paramedic in several Australian ambulance jurisdictions he is now the Discipline Lead for Paramedicine at USC. His roles have encompassed the provision of intensive care paramedicine, clinical governance, professional leadership, teaching, and research. His doctoral work explored the challenges of IPC in paramedicine.