Mrs. Kathy Dempsey1,2, Dr Susan Jain1,2, Assoc Prof Patricia Bradd1,3, DR Kate Clezy1, Professor David Greenfield2
1Clinical Excellence Commission – NSW Health, St Leonards, Australia, 2School of Population Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia, 3School of Public Health, UTS, Sydney, Australia
Biography:
Kathy is NSW chief ICP and HAI advisor at the Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC), NSW Health. Kathy is a Credentialed Expert ICP (CICP-E), and a fellow of ACIPC, highly skilled and regarded with a range of qualifications, internationally recognized certifications and a current future leaders of healthcare DrPH candidate.
Abstract:
Background
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) is unique to patient safety and quality, as it is universally relevant to every health worker and patient, at every healthcare interaction. A strong governance is crucial for an IPC program to be functional at national and healthcare facility levels. Existing IPC Governance targets systems with improvements required for program level.
Aim
To examine a twofold research question: first, what are the governance, strategy and organisational structures of IPC programs across Australia?; and second, what are the essential elements for a standardised, consistent IPC governance framework? To evaluate and develop a standardised IPC program governance framework with reported essential elements.
Methods
Comprising four integrated steps: document review using thematic analysis of clinician perspective; a survey; open discussion moderated by an expert panel and expert panel review, incorporating a modified Delphi approach for consensus and validated framework guidance.
Results
Governance is variable across programs and environments, including aged care. IPC programs have reporting lines to public health (42%), patient safety (30%), with the remainder (27%) split across clinical governance, policy regulation, aged care or nursing services. Essential elements reported (81%): IPC expertise/leadership, standardised/consistent structure, resourcing and acknowledgement. The expert panel reviewed structural benefits, strengths and opportunities for improvement of programs. Consensus for future Australian IPC is to strengthen and expand IPC nationally.
Conclusion
Governance of IPC in healthcare is dynamic and evolving, yet variable and inconsistent. While global efforts focus on strengthening IPC broadly, this study has developed a detailed foundational program level governance framework.