Lorraine Poulos1, Steve Neal2
2Head of Clinical and Leadership Programs, 1Lorraine Poulos & Associates
Biography
Lorraine is an accomplished Registered Nurse and healthcare executive with over 35 years of experience in health and aged care. She served for 10 years as the Health Minister’s representative on the NSW Medical Board/Council, contributing to governance and regulatory oversight of the profession. Lorraine shares her expertise on aging and health through publications and as a guest speaker at sector events, aiming to equip practitioners and providers with practical guidance and support. Passionate about enhancing care practices, she remains dedicated to offering valuable advice to the caregiving community.
Abstract
The implementation of the Aged Care Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Guide for Home Care Providers is a critical step in strengthening infection control across the home care sector.
Developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and evolving regulatory expectations, the guide provides evidence-based strategies tailored to the unique challenges of community-based aged care.
This presentation explores how home care providers can translate these recommendations into practical, sustainable actions. Key implementation measures include establishing effective IPC governance, updating organisational policies, embedding standard precautions into daily routines, and providing targeted education for staff.
A risk-based approach will be discussed as a means of tailoring IPC strategies to the diverse environments in which care is delivered. The presentation will also examine how embedding infection prevention and control into governance frameworks and operational processes can drive system-wide improvements.
It will highlight how structured oversight, policy integration, and regular review mechanisms ensure accountability, support compliance, and enable continuous monitoring of infection-related risks. By aligning these measures with the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, providers can enhance clinical governance, strengthen organisational resilience, and deliver safer, more consistent care in the home care environments.