Infection Prevention and Control
Infection Prevention and Control encompasses all strategies, processes, training, evaluation, and programs which contribute to preventing, containing and controlling the transmission of healthcare associated infections (HAIs) in health care settings.
Clinical Governance provides executive sponsorship and support to the policy and strategic functions of Infection Prevention and Control within Hunter New England Health, working with the Clinical Director of Infection Prevention and Control and Infection Prevetion staff to ensure the programs and strategies of the HNE Health Infection Prevention and Control Program are supported.
The functions and organisational structure of the HNE Health Infection Prevention and Control Unit are set out on the Unit’s webpage at: http://intranet.hne.health.nsw.gov.au/hne_infection_prevention__and__control
In 2009 NSW Health and the then HNE Health responded to the Garling Commission’s recommendations about infection prevention and control matters in acute hospitals.
As part of the response a Caring Together Infection Prevention and Control Working Group was established, led by Dr John Ferguson and Associate Professor Rosemary Aldrich with Executive Sponsorship from the HNE Health Director Clinical Governance and Director Corporate Services. The Working Group was responsible for implementing the NSW Health responses concerning recommendations made by Commissioner Garling concerning improving hand hygiene awareness and compliance, and improving cleaning services in public health services.
Since 2009 an extensive program of training auditors for checking compliance with the “5 moments” regime for hand hygiene has been undertaken, and data on compliance by category and staff and unit/ location published in 2010. Work continues to promote hand hygiene, prevention of healthcare associated infections and other critical infection prevention and control strategies such as promoting appropriate clinical management and evaluation of every Staphylococcus Aureus bacteraemia identified in our laboratories, a program for improving antibiotic stewardship and the continuing provision of expert Infection Prevention and Control advice and actions at all HNE Health facilities, services and units.
Further Information
For more information please contact Infection Prevention and Control (Dr John Ferguson or Ms Sandy Berenger on 4921 4422), or Clinical Governance (Associate Professor Rosemary Aldrich) on 4921 4935.
Use Links
- World Health Organisation: World Alliance for Patient Safety “Clean Care is Safer Care”
- Five moments in hand hygiene
- Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Healthcare Healthcare associated infections pages
- Hand Hygiene Australia
- NSW Health Hand Hygiene Policy
- HNE Health Hand Hygiene Policy Compliance Procedure