Mrs. Kathy Dempsey1,2, Dr Susan Jain1,2, Assoc prof Patricia Bradd1, Dr Kate Clezy1, Professor David Greenfield2
1Clinical Excellence Commission, NSW Health, St Leonards, Australia, 2UNSW- University of New South Wales, Randwick, Australia
Biography:
Kathy is NSW chief Infection prevention and control practitioner (ICP) and healthcare associated infection (HAI) advisor at the Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC), NSW Health. Kathy is a Credentialled Expert ICP (CICP-E) and a fellow of ACIPC with a master’s degree, a diploma in leadership and management, a range of internationally recognized certifications and a current future leaders DrPH candidate. A recipient of the Claire Boardman medal. Kathy has held a number of executive positions within the college and remains a member of the colleges journal editorial board and the professional and credentialling standards committee. Kathy has extensive and broad expertise.
Abstract:
Background
Infection prevention and control (IPC) programs are critical to patient safety and reducing healthcare risk. A standardised local, state and national IPC program governance, structure and strategic direction framework is lacking across the Australian health system.
Aim
To explore and inform the governance and structure design of Australian hospital, state and national IPC programs. The study also took the opportunity to explore future IPC pandemic preparedness from practitioner insight and experience.
Method
Participants at the 2023 ACIPC Conference National summit session participated in jurisdictional program presentations followed by a Mentimetre survey. The project then used a modified Delphi research approach with four integrated steps, document analysis, survey questionnaire, group discussion and member checking.
Results
Results highlighted vast variability across the country and a mixture of governance structures supporting reporting lines for IPC. Variations included patient safety 30%, Communicable diseases 22%, Public Health 20%, Combined Public Health and Population Health Communicable diseases 42% with the final 26% spread across clinical governance, policy, aged care and nursing. Including IPC as part of the Australian Centres for Disease control (AUS CDC) as a centralised but newly formed and acknowledged priority area was supported by 81% of participants. Consistent themes emerged for future pandemic preparedness for Australian IPC.
Conclusion
Jurisdictional IPC programs across Australia are operating as the lead agency for IPC in their respective states. Governance however is variable from hospital level to these jurisdictional programs. This variability does not serve an Australian national IPC structure and impedes overall efficiency.