Evaluation of an Infection surveillance program in residential aged care facilities in Victoria, Australia
Abstract Background Infection surveillance is a key element of infection prevention and control activities in the aged care sector. In 2017, a standardised infection surveillance program was established for public residential aged care services in Victoria, Australia. This program will soon be expan...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17482-x |
| _version_ | 1797276248022450176 |
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| author | Eliza Watson Arjun Rajkhowa David Dunt Ann Bull Leon J Worth Noleen Bennett |
| author_facet | Eliza Watson Arjun Rajkhowa David Dunt Ann Bull Leon J Worth Noleen Bennett |
| author_sort | Eliza Watson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Infection surveillance is a key element of infection prevention and control activities in the aged care sector. In 2017, a standardised infection surveillance program was established for public residential aged care services in Victoria, Australia. This program will soon be expanded to a national level for all Australian residential aged care facilities. It has not been evaluated since its inception. Methods The current study aimed to evaluate the Victorian Healthcare Associated Infection Surveillance System (VICNISS) Coordinating Centre Aged Care Infection Indicator Program (ACIIP), to understand its performance and functionality. A mixed methods evaluation was performed using the Updated Guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems developed by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a framework. VICNISS staff who coordinate and manage the ACIIP were invited to participate in interviews. Residential aged care staff who use the program were invited to participate in a survey. Document analysis was also performed. Results Four VICNISS staff participated in the interviews and 38 aged care staff participated in the survey. The ACIIP is stable and able to be adapted quickly to changing definitions for infections. Users found the system relatively easy to use but have difficulties after the long intervals between data entry year on year. VICNISS staff provide expert guidance which benefits users. Users appreciated the benefit of participating and many use the data for improving local practice. Conclusions The ACIIP is a usessful state-wide infection surveillance program for aged care. Further development of data validation, IT system capacity and models for education and user support will be required to support future scalability. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:25:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-41a0bec5eb974096b2bbcc7232643108 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:25:34Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-41a0bec5eb974096b2bbcc72326431082024-03-05T17:08:00ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582024-01-0124111010.1186/s12889-023-17482-xEvaluation of an Infection surveillance program in residential aged care facilities in Victoria, AustraliaEliza Watson0Arjun Rajkhowa1David Dunt2Ann Bull3Leon J Worth4Noleen Bennett5Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victorian Healthcare Associated Infection Surveillance System (VICNISS) Coordinating CentreDepartment of Infectious Diseases, National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship, The University of MelbourneThe University of MelbourneDoherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victorian Healthcare Associated Infection Surveillance System (VICNISS) Coordinating CentreDoherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victorian Healthcare Associated Infection Surveillance System (VICNISS) Coordinating CentreDoherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victorian Healthcare Associated Infection Surveillance System (VICNISS) Coordinating CentreAbstract Background Infection surveillance is a key element of infection prevention and control activities in the aged care sector. In 2017, a standardised infection surveillance program was established for public residential aged care services in Victoria, Australia. This program will soon be expanded to a national level for all Australian residential aged care facilities. It has not been evaluated since its inception. Methods The current study aimed to evaluate the Victorian Healthcare Associated Infection Surveillance System (VICNISS) Coordinating Centre Aged Care Infection Indicator Program (ACIIP), to understand its performance and functionality. A mixed methods evaluation was performed using the Updated Guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems developed by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a framework. VICNISS staff who coordinate and manage the ACIIP were invited to participate in interviews. Residential aged care staff who use the program were invited to participate in a survey. Document analysis was also performed. Results Four VICNISS staff participated in the interviews and 38 aged care staff participated in the survey. The ACIIP is stable and able to be adapted quickly to changing definitions for infections. Users found the system relatively easy to use but have difficulties after the long intervals between data entry year on year. VICNISS staff provide expert guidance which benefits users. Users appreciated the benefit of participating and many use the data for improving local practice. Conclusions The ACIIP is a usessful state-wide infection surveillance program for aged care. Further development of data validation, IT system capacity and models for education and user support will be required to support future scalability.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17482-xNursing homeHomes for the agedCross infectionInfection surveillancePublic health surveillanceMixed methods |
| spellingShingle | Eliza Watson Arjun Rajkhowa David Dunt Ann Bull Leon J Worth Noleen Bennett Evaluation of an Infection surveillance program in residential aged care facilities in Victoria, Australia BMC Public Health Nursing home Homes for the aged Cross infection Infection surveillance Public health surveillance Mixed methods |
| title | Evaluation of an Infection surveillance program in residential aged care facilities in Victoria, Australia |
| title_full | Evaluation of an Infection surveillance program in residential aged care facilities in Victoria, Australia |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of an Infection surveillance program in residential aged care facilities in Victoria, Australia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of an Infection surveillance program in residential aged care facilities in Victoria, Australia |
| title_short | Evaluation of an Infection surveillance program in residential aged care facilities in Victoria, Australia |
| title_sort | evaluation of an infection surveillance program in residential aged care facilities in victoria australia |
| topic | Nursing home Homes for the aged Cross infection Infection surveillance Public health surveillance Mixed methods |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17482-x |
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