Epidemiologist, University of Otago
How Aotearoa New Zealand is beating Covid-19 and key lessons for the future This presentation covers key aspects of the Aotearoa New Zealand response to the Covid-19 pandemic, including: the choice of[...]
Keynote: Using video reflexive methods to improve infection prevention and control practices
Effective infection prevention and control relies on consistent implementation of IPC practices and controls. Research has shown that compliance with standard and transmission-based precautions during routine episodes of care is sub-optimal. In a dynamic patient care environment, undertaking seemingly ‘straightforward’ IPC tasks such as using appropriate PPE correctly, cleaning resuable patient equipment or transporting a patient in insolation precautions become more complex. Research using qualitative video reflexive methods has been used successfully to identify good practice, highlight challenges and provide improvement strategies. This presentation will discuss several recent research projects that have used video-reflexive methods in the hospital setting to improve HCW PPE skills, enhance communication and logistics for the transfer of a patient with a high-consequence infectious disease and explore the reasons for sub-optimal respiratory protection in an emergency department.
Concurrent session: Is it time for national PPE standards?
This session discusses the research findings from a national survey which explored PPE training programmes in New Zealand hospitals. Results demonstrate that there are significant differences among organisations in the methods and frequency of PPE training. Most participants supported a national approach to standardisation of PPE training and monitoring of compliance with PPE protocols, although this would likely require additional resources. The current pandemic has validated the importance of PPE competency among healthcare workers as an essential component of occupational health and safety as well as minimising infection transmission to patients and others.
Ruth Barratt is a registered nurse, infection preventionist, quality advisor and qualitative researcher. She is credentialed at Expert level with the Australian College of Infection Prevention and Control, holds a Masters in Infection Prevention and Control and has over 23 years of experience in the field across the private and public sectors. Ruth represents the IPCNC on the New Zealand National Infection Control Expert Group. She is part-way through a PhD candidature with a research focus on protective mask behaviours among clinicians.
