Mrs. Sue Flockhart1, Mrs. Allison Hodge2, Dr Merryn Roe3
1Grampians Health, Ballarat, Australia, 2Grampians Health, Ballarat, Australia, 3Grampians Public Health Unit, Ballarat, Australia
Biography:
Sue Flockhart is Director of Infection Prevention and Control at Grampians Health, overseeing IPC programs across five hospitals and 15 aged care facilities. A senior nurse with a master’s in nursing and a Graduate Diploma in Infection Control, she is committed to patient safety and mentoring in IPC practice.
Abstract:
In early 2025, a regional health service faced a significant challenge: an outbreak of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE), identified through molecular typing as multilocus sequence type 1424 (ST1424). With the potential for widespread transmission, the response was swift and strategic. Clear case definitions were established, and a detailed timeline of cases was developed to map the outbreak’s trajectory and guide containment efforts.
To better understand the scale and sources of transmission, environmental sampling was conducted across multiple clinical areas. Enhanced screening protocols for patients, staff, and high-risk contacts revealed a broader scope of colonisation than initially anticipated, confirming an outbreak which prompted a comprehensive infection prevention and control response.
Key interventions included intensified environmental cleaning, reinforced contact precautions, and targeted staff education. Ultraviolet (UV) light auditing—using fluorescent markers—was introduced to assess cleaning effectiveness in real time. Early audits highlighted areas for improvement, which were addressed through immediate feedback and retraining. Encouragingly, subsequent audits showed measurable gains, though consistency remains a focus.
Despite these efforts, the outbreak continues, underscoring the complexity of managing vancomycin-resistant organisms in healthcare environments. However, it has also stimulated a renewed commitment to environmental hygiene, staff engagement, and data-informed decision-making.
Looking ahead, the health service is focused on evaluating the impact of current interventions, sustaining improvements through ongoing education and auditing, and conducting deeper risk factor analyses. This experience is shaping a more resilient, proactive approach to infection prevention—one that will strengthen the organisation’s readiness for future challenges.