Mrs. Sarah Thomas1
1Gold Coast Health, Arundel, Australia
Biography:
Sarah Thomas works as a Clinical Nurse with Gold Coast health for the last decade. She holds a Masters Degree in Infection Control from Griffith University. She is a member of the ACIPC Membership, Communication & Engagement Committee (MCEC). She has been a facilitator with ACIPC. She is endorsed nurse immunizer and hand hygiene educator. Areas of interest include mentoring, device related infections and antimicrobial stewardship.
Abstract:
Background
Three community-based services were assessed as part of the annual IPC (infection Prevention & Control) audit. Two of the services were newly formed and never been previously assessed by IPC. The services included a community dialysis unit, a health clinic located in a correctional facility and a community mother and child service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mums.
Method
A predeveloped audit tool was used to undertake structured assessment of these specialised areas along with the facility’s team leader. Compliance with thirteen IPC criteria was undertaken, risks were identified, and action plans were compiled to address these.
Results
All services had a compliance rate of >75% and all team leaders were engaged. Each service had unique IPC challenges identified. The mother and child unit functioned from a leased building which restricted them from any wall installations including brackets for alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR). The service mitigated the risks by having sharps containers on wheels and ABHR being available in all clinical areas. The community dialysis facility had to ensure they had access to safe water for dialysis. The correctional facility’s self-directed rehabilitation model encourages cleaning done by the inmates. An unexpected result of the audit was that there was increased communication with IPC in all three services post audits.
Conclusion Community services audited had unique IPC risks relative to the care provided however the application of IPC principles to address risk remained the same. Building rapport with clinicians in the specialised areas is helpful in further IPC consultation.