Benefits of a Collaborative Approach to Infection Prevention in Residential Aged Care Facilities
Michelle Baldwin1, Terri Butcher1, Michelle Bibby1 Sarah Gains Hill1, Jenny Lukeis1, Penny Radalj1, Carrie Spinks1, P. Louise Wright1, , 1Residential Aged Care Facility and Clinical Nurse Consultant Collaborative, Victoria, Victoria, VIC, Australia
Background
Historically infection prevention and control (IPC) standards and expectations for residential aged care facilities (RACF) were lacking. During the pandemic this lack of oversight was made very apparent, rapidly followed by a series of fluctuating mandates with no supporting structure for implementation and an attempt to apply acute care sector elements into an aged care environment.
Method
During the pandemic, IPC consultants, four working in RACFs and one from a local public health unit, met to discuss IPC concerns in the RACFs and conflicting interpretations of the IPC mandates.
This collaborative provides peer support for RACF IPC ensuring consistency across Victoria; review IPC guidelines to clarify intent and enable application; share best practices and documents to aid the IPC Lead (IPCL) program; create a standardised and reasonable approach to IPC in aged care; and lobby on behalf of the novice IPCL.
Results
Achievements include sharing risk-assessed perspectives, networking amongst peers, and access to multimodal communication. Members have met with the Chief Nursing Officer, representatives from the Commonwealth Aged Care team and ACIPC to lobby for improvements to the IPCL role. Creation of a proposed standardised IPCL position description has been forwarded to the Commission and adopted by members of the collaborative for their IPCLs.
Conclusion
The collaborative has grown to support the RACF sector. The 31 members, including state representatives, are indicative that IPC professionals benefit from a forum where they can meet, discuss, and share best practices. This supports a considered and consistent IPC approach to resident care.
Biography
Residential Aged Care Facility and Clinical Nurse Consultant Collaborative, Victoria, is a collective membership of IPC professionals and industry leaders across Victoria, providing peer support and guidance in our challenging times.
Michelle Baldwin is the Operations Manager for Bolton Clarke with 30 year’s experience in the aged care industry. Michelle is representing the collaborative who are a diverse team of individuals from Aged Care, Acute, Public Health, State and Outreach services. “The whole group are committed to providing a safer aged care industry through uniting experiences and knowledge which can be shared for improved resident outcomes across Victoria”.