Patient Flow the new Infection Prevention and Control movement.
Kathy Dempsey1, , 1Nsw Health Clinical Excellence Commission, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
Background
Patient flow and the allocation of beds is an increasing issue for our health system. As patient flow managers scurry to find any bed for the increasing patient demands and to meet the ever-aloof targets. Infection prevention and control (IPC) are rarely included in strategic discussions of patient flow, yet often used as reasons for not reaching such targets. Is it time for patient flow to be the new IPC movement strategy?
Method
A qualitative, scan of literature related to patient flow and IPC, looking at previous patient flow administered surveys and learnings.
Results
There is a sparsity of literature that relates specifically to IPC and patient flow. The impact directly of IPC is not only missing from the literature but is absent in the models and systems applied to patient flow developed to address such issues. Programs incorporate quality, standardisation, coordination, demand and capacity planning, variation management, demand escalation and governance but omits the very core of safety.
Conclusion
Patient flow seen as the highway of our health system and IPC as the many roadblocks and traffic jams yet little direct correlation between cause and effect. The models and systems for patient flow need to improve to incorporate the safety element for IPC; a patient flow and IPC movement to focus on the five R’s of IPC safety:
•Right Patient
•Right bed
•Right Service/specialty
•Right Care (precautions)
•Right Outcome (Prevention and Control)
Biography
Kathy is a Board Director for ACIPC, Chair of the credentialling and professional standards committee and member on the Editorial Board for ACIPC journal. Is the inaugural NSW Chief ICP and HAI Advisor at the CEC, NSW IPAC COVID-19 Response Clinical Lead. Is a member on many state and national IPC Expert advisory committees. Acknowledged for her contribution as an expert on the Australian Infection Control Expert group for COVID-19 and awarded the colleges prestigious Clair Boardman medal for leadership 2022. Kathy is recognised nationally and internationally has a number of publications. Currently completing future leader of healthcare DrPH.