Brett G Mitchell1, Ramon Z Shaban2, Deborough MacBeth3, Philp Russo4. 1. Discipline of Nursing, Avondale College of Higher Education, Wahroonga, NSW, Australia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: brett.mitchell@avondale.edu.au. 2. Faculty of Medicine and Health, Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Sydney, Camperdown. NSW, Australia; Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia; Directorate of Nursing, Midwifery and Clinical Governance, Western Sydney Local Health District, Westmead, NSW, Australia. 3. Department of Infection Prevent and Control, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia. 4. Department of Nursing Research, Cabrini Institute, Malvern, Victoria, Australia; Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Lifestyle Research Centre, Avondale College of Higher Education, Cooranbong, NSW, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Individuals in residential and aged care facilities (RACFs) are at risk of developing health care-associated infections (HAIs) due to factors such as age-related changes in physiology, immunity, comorbid illness and functional disability. The recent establishment of an Australian Royal Commission into the Quality of Residential and Aged Care Services highlights the challenges of providing care in this sector. This national study identified infection prevention and control (IPC) services, practice and priorities in Australian RACFs. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 158 Australian RACFs comprising a 42-question survey incorporating five key domains relating to IPC namely governance, education, practice, surveillance, competency and capability was undertaken in 2018. RESULTS: Of the 131 respondents, the majority 92.4% of respondents reported having a documented IPC program, 22.9% (n = 30) operated with a dedicated infection control committee The majority of RACFs reported lacking specialist and qualified experienced IPC professionals (n = 67). The majority of RACFs (90.1%, n = 118) reported the existence of a designated employee with IPC responsibilities. Of these 118 staff members with IPC responsibilities, 42.5% had a qualification in IPC. The reported average funded hours per month for IPC professional or an external provider of IPC activities was 14 (95% CI 9.6-18.9 h). CONCLUSION: The overwhelming majority of RACFs deliver IPC services and report doing so in ways that meet the needs of their own specific contexts in the absence of the lack of formal guidelines when compared to the hospital sector. Quality residential and aged care free from HAIs requires formal structure and organization strategies.
BACKGROUND: Individuals in residential and aged care facilities (RACFs) are at risk of developing health care-associated infections (HAIs) due to factors such as age-related changes in physiology, immunity, comorbid illness and functional disability. The recent establishment of an Australian Royal Commission into the Quality of Residential and Aged Care Services highlights the challenges of providing care in this sector. This national study identified infection prevention and control (IPC) services, practice and priorities in Australian RACFs. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 158 Australian RACFs comprising a 42-question survey incorporating five key domains relating to IPC namely governance, education, practice, surveillance, competency and capability was undertaken in 2018. RESULTS: Of the 131 respondents, the majority 92.4% of respondents reported having a documented IPC program, 22.9% (n = 30) operated with a dedicated infection control committee The majority of RACFs reported lacking specialist and qualified experienced IPC professionals (n = 67). The majority of RACFs (90.1%, n = 118) reported the existence of a designated employee with IPC responsibilities. Of these 118 staff members with IPC responsibilities, 42.5% had a qualification in IPC. The reported average funded hours per month for IPC professional or an external provider of IPC activities was 14 (95% CI 9.6-18.9 h). CONCLUSION: The overwhelming majority of RACFs deliver IPC services and report doing so in ways that meet the needs of their own specific contexts in the absence of the lack of formal guidelines when compared to the hospital sector. Quality residential and aged care free from HAIs requires formal structure and organization strategies.