Ms Stephanie Curtis1, Ms Abigail Trewin1, Ms Kathleen McDermott1, Ms Karen Were1, Dr Kate Clezy2, Ms Kathy Dempsey2, Dr Nick Walsh1
1National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, Darwin, Australia
2Clinical Excellence Commission, Sydney, Australia
Introduction: Safe donning and doffing of personal protective equipment (PPE) are critical to prevent transmission of infectious diseases. Novel strategies to improve infection prevention and control (IPC) adherence can optimise safety. We describe and quantify video surveillance of doffing performed by the Australian Medical Assistance Team at Howard Springs International Quarantine Facility.
Methods: Motion activated video cameras were installed in seven areas where personnel doffed PPE upon exit from an area dedicated to quarantined residents. Video footage was reviewed daily, compliance issues were identified using a standardised checklist and risk graded to initiate feedback. We collated audit data to describe trends by month, risk level, staff group and doffing component.
Results: From 1 February to 18 April 2021, 235 hours of video footage were audited from 639 hours captured and 364 compliance issues were identified; none of which were considered high-risk resulting in compromise to PPE integrity. Compliance issues were low risk (55/364, 15%) or moderate risk (309/364, 85%) and the most common issue was missed or inadequate hand hygiene (156/364, 43%). Compliance issues per minutes of video footage reviewed decreased from 24 per 1,000 in February to 7 per 1,000 in March and April.
Conclusion: Video surveillance with feedback supported rapid response to improve IPC adherence in a challenging ambient environment. The activity focused on perfection to identify compliance issues that would go unreported in most healthcare settings and contributed to a suit of activities that prevented any high-risk PPE breaches or compromises to safety at the quarantine facility.
Biography: Stephanie is an epidemiologist at the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre. Throughout 2020-2021 she worked at the Victorian Department of Health in the COVID-19 response, and prior to this her research focused on healthcare-associated infections. She is a graduate of Australia’s field epidemiology training program, the MAE.