Mrs. Kavita Pantha1
1SydWest Multicultural Services, Blacktown, Australia
Biography:
I am Kavita Pantha, an Aged Care Team Supervisor at SydWest Multicultural Services in Blacktown, NSW. As a Registered Nurse with advanced degrees in Health Management and Public Health, my role focuses on enhancing healthcare outcomes in Western Sydney's diverse communities. I lead clinical operations, mentor teams, and ensure adherence to regulatory standards for optimal care delivery. Passionate about advocating for multicultural needs, I foster partnerships to improve healthcare accessibility and effectiveness. Through strategic leadership and continuous improvement initiatives, I strive for excellence, promoting a culture of compassion and achieving the best outcomes for our community.
Abstract:
Background
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) within healthcare is crucial to maintain health and well-being of clients and care providers. However, IPC in community settings requires further exploration and attention. COVID-19 pandemic heightened community awareness regarding hand hygiene, sanitisers, and masks. Emphasis on IPC in residential aged care and hospitals is significantly greater than in the community, where resources are limited, and stakeholder efforts are often fragmented. The SydWest Clinical Governance Committee continuously explores IPC strategies to address these gaps within the community care sector.
Actions
A comprehensive community health survey was conducted to gather quantitative data on existing IPC compliance rates and practices among Western Sydney community care stakeholders, including cultural diversity data. Questions focused on hand hygiene practices, PPE use, and knowledge of IPC guidelines. IPC was made a standing agenda item in key meetings. Online IPC resource portals were created, alongside peer support networks and regular feedback loops.
Results
The survey revealed evident improvements in compliance and awareness, particularly in hand hygiene and PPE usage, highlighting the importance of culturally tailored IPC measures. Survey feedback led to targeted interventions, including additional training and multilingual educational materials. Virtual meetings, online resources, and peer support networks helped consolidate stakeholders’ efforts.
Conclusion
Continuous improvement and exploration of IPC practices through regular surveys are critical for mitigating community spread of infectious diseases. This study demonstrates regular review of IPC strategies can significantly enhance compliance and awareness. Cultural sensitivity and joint stakeholder efforts are essential for ensuring community health and safety.