Mr Carlo Sagge1
1Far West Local Health District, Broken Hill, Australia
Biography:
The author has over five years' experience in infection control and works within a rural and remote health district in New South Wales. As NSQHS Standard 3 lead, he has implemented initiatives to strengthen infection control practices and advance sustainability. He was recently recognised with a Nursing Leadership Award.
Abstract:
Background
The rural and remote health district face ongoing challenges in vaccination and respiratory infection prevention, including low staff and inpatient influenza vaccination uptake, inconsistent promotion, and fragmented service delivery.
Aim
To implement a coordinated and collaborative Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) Prevention Campaign to improve influenza vaccination coverage across staff, inpatients, and communities, while strengthening winter preparedness across the health district.
Actions
The Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) service coordinated the district’s first collaborative ARI Prevention Campaign in partnership with Staff Health, the Public Health Unit, and the Respiratory Protection Program. The campaign used a multifaceted delivery model, including hospital foyer vaccination hubs, roving clinics, outreach to remote sites, inpatient vaccination rounds, opportunistic outpatient vaccination, and a dedicated clinic at the Agfair event. Community promotion was strengthened through newsletters, social media campaigns, and printed flyers. Partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service enhanced access for remote communities. Workforce capacity was strengthened through Aboriginal Health Practitioner vaccination training and utilisation of authorised nurse immunisers. Respiratory fit testing was rolled out across all facilities, alongside a winter preparedness plan for aged care wards and targeted in-service education.
Outcomes
Influenza vaccination uptake increased among staff and inpatients, alongside improved community access and opportunistic delivery of additional National Immunisation Program vaccines. Respiratory fit testing compliance also increased across facilities.
Conclusion
Overall, the campaign improved influenza vaccine access and uptake, strengthened workforce capability, and enhanced preparedness for seasonal respiratory infections in rural and remote settings. The collaborative approach was effective in improving the consistency, reach, and sustainability of ARI prevention activities across the health district.