Ms Holly Dodd1, Mrs Leasa Giles, Mrs Amy How
1Hospitals North, Tasmanian Health, Launceston , Australia
IPC Clinical Nurse Educator (CNE) roles for THS Hospitals-North services were established in 2020 following recommendations from the Independent Inquiry NW Tasmania COVID outbreak 2020, which highlighted the shortfall in IPC education in Regional Acute and Primary Health services.
A Total of 2 FTE CNE’s were appointed, consisting of three staff across the following specialties: Acute Care, Primary Health services and Renal Dialysis units.
The CNE’s underwent a robust orientation to their allocated services.
Information gathered using departmental surveys and interviews for gap analysis against National Standards, as basis for development of education plan.
Specific questions asked included:
o What mandatory IPC education was undertaken?
o Were any staff groups not receiving IPC education?
o What resources were needed to deliver education?
o Did the staff feel there were any gap in their knowledge?
Results:
- Site specific gap analysis developed
- Identified education needs and methodologies for delivery
- Identified urgent education areas per site and provided education accordingly
- Dedicated IPC CNE’s has led to a change in day-to-day activities of the IPC coordinator and NM role.
Conclusion: Since the IPC positions commenced Hospitals North IPC CNE’s have identified that education delivery requires a flexible platform to accommodate the varied needs of individual services.
The initial gap analysis education plan was not deliverable in the original format, these have now become living documents evolving to respond to the changing education requirements.
The CNE’s role is proving to be an invaluable component to our IPC program.
Biography: Leasa, Holly and Amy have a combined experience of 28 years in Infection control. Leasa has a background in ophthalmology theatre, Holly in coronary care and Amy in respiratory medicine.