Mr Chris Russell1
1Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, Wollongong, Australia
Biography:
Infection Control CNC with experience across public and private healthcare sectors. Passionate about leveraging innovative and collaborative approaches to streamline IPC processes, improve the use and sharing of data, and drive meaningful engagement. Focused on finding creative ways to expand the reach and relevance of IPC in diverse clinical settings.
Abstract:
Introduction
High Consequence Infectious Diseases (HCID) are characterised by being acutely infectious with high fatality rates, minimal treatment options, difficult to detect, spread rapidly and require enhanced response systems to ensure safe intervention and management. Internationally, HCID is a priority area with clear risk factors, but currently there is no formalised process for screening and initiation of alerts at the Emergency Department (ED) triage stage. Screening can be further enhanced over time to include other emerging infectious diseases of concern.
Methods
Language specific, structured digital surveys, accessed via QR code, completed by patients waiting in a regional ED, will be used to identify HCID risk. Based on combinations of patient responses, the system will generate automatic alerts sent to ED triage and infection control. These tailored alerts will include management instructions to guide the immediate response required for patient management and admission.
Results
It is anticipated that during a 6-month period >200 responses will be collected, providing sufficient data to review current practices and implement refined management processes. The expected outcomes include, that high risk patients are identified early, isolated and screened efficiently based on defined risk levels. Key deliverables will be measured to inform resource allocation, swift patient management strategies aimed at preventing transmission.
Conclusion
Strong performance in trial surveys will support continued monitoring for HCID risks as a quick and simple intervention resulting in early identification and isolation of patients requiring further screening, as well as informing community-based education with groups of known risk specific to the location.