Mrs Ravi Raj Dhillon1
1Ravi Raj Dhillon, IPC Lead, , Blue Cross Aged Care, Chelsea, Australia
Background: After performing the National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey (NAPS) in 2021, skin care was a clear issue. Notably 55% of all prescriptions reviewed were for skin related conditions, hydrozole usage the most prevalent. This is reflective of national quality standard reports. The IPC Lead facilitated a multi-disciplinary working group to address the issues and identify improvement strategies.
Method: Staff were alerted to the findings and gaps from the NAPS survey and the need to make changes. Local GPs were involved with the collaborative for cessation of regular/PRN hydrozole, prescribing only as short term when needed. Nurse education to ensure hydrozole orders were timed and limited in duration was performed. Staff skin care toolbox sessions were provided addressing optimal skin care tactics for susceptible residents, reducing skin excoriations, and avoiding PRN hydrozole use. Monthly audits and reports of antimicrobial prescribing are published for staff to see ongoing usage of hydrozole cream.
Results: At the end of the process improvement no resident was prescribed PRN or regular hydrozole. Of the small number prescribed short-term hydrozole, evidence of non-pharmalogical strategies were not used first. However, an element of slippage has occurred since completion of the improvements requiring further actions to be implemented with engagement of the team leaders.
Conclusion: The improvement project was very successful in the initial stages through collaboration with external parties and education of staff. The need for ongoing reinforcement is evident for achieving sustainable and consistent results.
Biography: I am a Registered Nurse with 7+ years experience of working in Aged Cares. I completed IPC Lead course last year and have been working as IPC Lead since April 2021. During this tenure, I, in collaboration with senior IPC Lead team and with the support from all the staff, have successfully managed to contain COVID-19 spread during all of the three outbreaks/exposures in Chelsea Manor. I have also been monitoring and publishing a monthly report on antibiotics usage and hydrozole usage in our Aged Care.