The Infection Prevention Service (IPS) provides Barwon Health with an excellent Infection Prevention Program. Qualified Infection Prevention clinical Nurse consultants are based at Geelong Hospital (2.4EFT). McKellar Centre (EFT) and Community & Mental Health (O.4EFT). this Service is responsible to the Director of Infectious Diseases and the Executive Sponsor is the Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery. The Infection Prevention Service has two offices. One at TGH and the other at MC and share a secretary (0.5). Our consumers are staff and patients, residents and clients who access BH services.
The Service has been enhanced this year with the Victorian Quality Council funding a full time EFT Hand Hygiene Project Manager to promote, audit and educate staff of the benefits of the alcohol hand rub. This project is due for completion in May 2007.
The primary role of infection prevention is to prevent the spread of community acquired and nosocomial (hospital acquired) infections. Strategies to prevent the spread of infection are documented in Barwon Health policies, procedures and guidelines sourced from international, federal and state publications. The infection prevention staff research and develop policies and procedures in line with best practice and all new policies/procedures relating to Infection Prevention are ratified by the Infection Prevention Committee.
There are four Infection Prevention committees within Barwon Health. There is a committee for each program and these three committees report to the Barwon health Infection control committee on a six monthly basis. The Infection Prevention Committees report to Clinical Risk management committee. Infection Prevention Service staff are also involved in many other committees throughout the organisation. The daily role of the Infection Prevention Clinical Nurse Consultants is varied. We provide education to all disciplines within Barwon health, are actively involved with orientation programs and seize the opportunity to provide educational sessions as requested.
Surveillance of Multi-drug resistant organisms, bloodstream infections, cardiac and orthopaedic surgical procedures are conducted at Geelong Hospital. There is mandatory surveillance requirements set by the Department of Human Services for acute hospitals. Surveillance activities at McKellar Centre are in accordance with Aged Care requirements.
Outbreak management is another role of the Infection Prevention Service. The types of outbreaks include Multi-drug resistant organisms, gastroenteritis , influenza and scabies. Outbreak management is often done in consultation with DHS and/or the City of Greater Geelong. We are currently planning and preparing for the predicted Flu pandemic which requires a multidisciplinary approach.
The principles and practices of infection prevention are promoted throughout the community and mental health services, with particular reference to risk reduction amongst health care workers and clients in the community and home settings. |