Back to the Future: A celebration looking back on 50 years of infection control and infectious diseases in Tasmania, and a qualitative investigation of healthcare worker concerns looking towards the future of infection control locally and globally
Kate Manserra1, Deanne Barclay1
1Tasmania Health Service North West
Introduction
The 2022 international theme for Infection Prevention Week (IPC) was “50 Years of Infection Prevention – looking back on infection prevention from 1972 – 2022 and inspiring the next generation to join the fight’. At Tasmanian Health Service North-West, the infection control team researched and put together a display reflecting on the last 50 years of IPC and infectious diseases in Tasmania.
Methods
A working party decided the theme. Team members brought different perspectives and contributions including physical historical resources, anecdotal memories, photos, and academic research related to infectious diseases in Tasmania. An interactive historical timeline was displayed in the public foyers of two hospitals. A quiz related to the timeline was distributed to departments, with a prize rewarded to every person that participated and major prizes awarded at random. Part of the quiz asked their concerns about infection control in the future.
Results
Over 100 staff from a wide variety of healthcare worker groups engaged with the activity. Responses to “What are your biggest concerns about infection prevention and control looking towards the future?” were collated demonstrating the broadness of causes and level of concern about infection control. IPC staff learned new things they could then share, about exotic and rare infectious diseases that are unique to Tasmania.
Conclusion
The history of infectious diseases is a topic that encourages staff to reflect on medical advancements, and purpose of IPC in healthcare. The future of infectious diseases and IPC is something that healthcare workers have many concerns about.
Biography
Kate Manserra is a Clinical Nurse Educator – IPC based at Mersey Community Hospital. She completed a Master of Global Public Health from Griffith University in 2020, specialising in Infectious Diseases, Leadership and Health Services Management. She is currently studying a Graduate Certificate in Health Protection at the University of Tasmania.
Deanne Barclay is a Clinical Nurse Educator – IPC based at North-West Regional Hospital. She joined Tasmanian Health Service North-West’s infection control team in 2022 after working in respiratory testing clinics and national COVID-19 aged care outbreak management which influenced her to pursue infection control as a career.