Ms Catina Eyres1, Ms. Jaimee Oxford1, Dr. Bruce Bolam1
1The Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit (LMPHU), Bendigo Health, Bendigo , Australia
Method: With the majority of Australian IPC programs arising from acute and hospital related care, the challenge was to develop a program relevant for a wide variety of community sectors and settings within the Loddon Mallee region, for example, health, residential accommodation, education and industry. Continual review of changing state, national and international IPC guidelines and literature occurred, alongside discussions with key stakeholders.
Results: The program’s aim was to build IPC capacity across the Loddon Mallee region and included four main components of advice provision, outbreak management, prevention activities and education, supported by the hierarchy of control risk management framework, epidemiology and community engagement.
Conclusion: The LMPHU IPC program relied heavily upon building and strengthening relationships and responding to sectors with a consistent, yet tailored approach. This unique opportunity has exposed the need for research about community IPC programs.
Background: The Victorian state government established nine Local Public Health Units (LPHUs) in 2020 to support the COVID-19 pandemic response. Responsible for a geographical region being 26% of the state (57427km2) with a population of 311,127, the Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit (LMPHU) formed in August 2020 for case and contact management of people diagnosed with COVID-19. The LMPHU role has since evolved to prevent and manage other communicable diseases and to promote health and wellbeing for the public. An infection prevention control (IPC) consultant was considered essential for current and future work of the LMPHU, thus the role commenced in December 2021 and a community focused IPC program was developed.
Biography: Spanning several years and countries, Catina’s nursing experience in infection prevention control (IPC), infectious diseases, hepatology, emergency, aged care and community sectors have provided opportunities to further understand complex health needs and translate knowledge and theory into practice.
Catina’s current role is Infection Prevention Control Consultant in the Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit combined with recent IPC Knowledge Lead and manager roles with the Department of Health’s Infection Prevention Control Advice and Response (IPCAR) team, all aim to reduce risk and improve safety.