Ms Karen McDonald1
1Yorke and Northern Local Health Network, SA Health
Biography:
Karen McDonald is an Advanced Nurse Consultant in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) with the Yorke and Northern Local Health Network (YNLHN). Since commencing in IPC in 2003, she has developed extensive experience across community, metropolitan and regional healthcare settings. Karen has worked full-time in IPC for SA Health since 2021 and has held an Advanced Nurse Consultant position since 2025. She also has considerable expertise in Clinical Worker Health and Immunisation programs and completed a Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine at James Cook University in 2026. As Chair of the YNLHN Infection Control Committee, Karen is passionate about leveraging governance systems to strengthen IPC programs and improve health outcomes in regional healthcare settings.
Abstract:
The Yorke and Northern Local Health Network (YNLHN) Infection Control Committee has demonstrated excellence in reconciliation by embedding Aboriginal health priorities into mainstream infection prevention and control (IPC) governance, surveillance and quality improvement activities. Through strong partnerships with the Aboriginal Health Directorate, Northern and Southern Aboriginal Health Teams, Community Nursing, Wound Services and external stakeholders, the Committee has adopted a shared responsibility approach to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal communities.
Applying an Aboriginal lens into routine decision-making, has ensured Aboriginal health considerations are reflected within policies, procedures, workforce education and quality improvement initiatives. A key achievement was the inclusion of an Aboriginal identifier within Healthcare-Associated Infection reporting, enabling surveillance and performance monitoring through an equity lens and strengthening the organisation’s ability to identify and address health disparities.
The Committee has also supported Aboriginal Health-led immunisation initiatives and strengthened organisational responses to Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease through education, collaboration and workforce capability development. By fostering meaningful engagement, applying Aboriginal Health Impact Statement processes and improving care pathways, the Committee has enhanced cultural responsiveness across services.
By embedding Aboriginal health within core IPC activities, the Committee has fostered a sustainable cultural shift in which Aboriginal health is recognised as everyone’s responsibility, contributing to reconciliation, health equity and Closing the Gap outcomes across YNLHN