Nov 2020 - Foresight Newsletter

Nov 2020 - Foresight Newsletter

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Preventing and Controlling Healthcare-Associated Infection Standard

IN THIS ISSUE:

Respiratory Protection Program Antimicrobial Awareness Week QARS Clinical Procedure Safety Seclusion and Restraint Project Spotlight: Reducing time in seclusion in the MHICU Staff Survey invitation - Access to PPGs

With the emergence of global infectious diseases such as COVID-19 there is a need for health workers to be able to work safely and be protected against the exposure to respiratory pathogens. In order to do this systematically, local health districts (LHDs), specialty health networks (SHNs) and NSW Ambulance are required to implement a Respiratory Protection Program (RRP). NSLHD is focusing on respiratory protection in relation to the use of respirator masks (also known as a P2 or N95 masks) and what is required to ensure these are managed, worn and used safely. Fit testing is a validated method that determines the brand and size of respirator that achieves an adequate seal on an individual’s face. In collaboration with the Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC), NSLHD recently completed mask fit testing to 226 staff assessed as Category 1 risk level. (Category 1 being the highest risk and Category 4 the lowest risk). The next phase of the program involved training 20 selected NSLHD staff from a variety of clinical settings, on the 12th and 13th November to become Mask Fit Testers. Further mask fit testing will soon take place across the district within three to four months, to over 2000 staff assessed to be at varying levels of risk. The final stage of the program will be a “train the trainer” course which is being developed by the CEC in conjunction with external contractors. This will likely be rolled out later this year or early next year. The aim is that NSLHD will become self-sufficient in being able to sustain the fit testing program for all staff to ensure best practice and optimal safety. Health care workers are reminded to perform a fit check each time a mask is donned to check that a good facial seal is achieved i.e. the mask is sealed over the bridge of the nose and mouth and there are no gaps between the mask and the face. RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROGRAM MASK FIT TESTING

What did you think of this issue? Give us your feedback

Contacts: [email protected] (Clinical Reliability Improvement Facilitator, Clinical Governance) or [email protected] (Director Infection Prevention and Control, NSLHD).

Check out the new look IPAC Intranet site for valuable information and resources on Infection Prevention and Control

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I SSUE 3 Preventing and Controlling Healthcare-Associated Infection Standard

What part can I play to reduce antimicrobial resistance?

Antimicrobial Awareness Week (AAW) held each year globally, aims to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance and promote the responsible use of antimicrobials. Antimicrobial resistance has been identified as one of the greatest threats to human health today. The prevalence of multidrug- resistant bacterial pathogens is rising worldwide. Patients with infections due to resistant bacteria, experience delayed recovery and treatment failure and are more likely to die than patients with infections from non-resistant bacteria. The slogan for Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2020 is ‘Antimicrobials: handle with care’. Overuse and misuse of unnecessarily broad-spectrum antibiotics can drive antimicrobial resistance. Visit the NSLHD Antimicrobial Stewardship Intranet site to find out more and complete the AAW Quiz to enter into a prize draw. Battle with your ward pharmacists and play the 'Pokebiotic' game to better understand the threat of antibiotic resistance

Clinical Governance Standard

Quality Audit Reporting System (QARS) developed by the Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC), is a user- friendly web-based application used in our district to conduct audits to improve patient safety and healthcare quality. I’ve been asked to complete a Clinical Audit on QARS. What is QARS, and why do we have this system?

There are many methods used to monitor and evaluate how your unit or service are performing against agreed standards for quality and safety of patient care. Clinical auditing is one such method. Clinical auditing enables action to continuously improve our clinical care processes if gaps are identified. Improvement project teams may also utilise clinical auditing to capture >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

www.nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au

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