Funding for a regional Infection Control program was once again allocated for 2004/05. This funding has provided an opportunity for Western District Health Service to again take a lead role in assisting regional health care facilities to providea comprehensive infection control program. A regional steering group has been established and this, in conjunction with a regional strategic plan, ensures that infection control practices and procedures remain current and consistent with best practice standards.
Infection Rates
Wound infections after surgery can cause significant impact for patients and may result in increased pain, longer hospitalisation, financial loss and reduced ability to return to usual daily activities. Recognising this, WDHS constantly monitors compliance with infection control practices and wound infection rates.
Data relating to major surgery for the period July 2004 – May 2005 demonstrates that of 832 procedures carried out at Hamilton Base Hospital, only 21 (2.5%) resulted in a wound infection.
The Department of Human Services, under the VICNISSprogram, collects additional data relating to infection rates. The need to monitor infections caused by multi-drug resistant organisms is a major focus. Latest data demonstrates WDHS’s performance in this area as favourable, with an infection rate of 1.0 per 10,000 bed days. Aggregate data for all Victorian hospitals is higher, with a rate of 1.8 per 10,000 bed days.
An important aspect of infection control is maintaining compliance with Australian Standards AS 4187 – 2003 Sterilisation and Disinfection. To comply with these standards WDHS participates in regular auditing, which enables us to maximise compliance and, in addition, compare ourselves with organisations in neighbouring regions. Areas audited include cleaning and sterilisation of equipment,storage and handling of sterile items and management of sterilising equipment. Results of the 2005 audit were favourable, with WDHS scoring an overall compliance rating of 95%. An identified area of non-compliance for WDHS related to guidelines for new staff working in the Sterilising Department. This is currently being addressed.
Cleaning Audits
During the reporting period Western District Health Service contracted Cogent Business Solutions to undertake cleaning audits to measure compliance with the Cleaning Standards for Victorian Public Hospitals – July 2000. Sixty-three rooms were selected at random, representing all areas of WDHS. WDHS performed very well, achieving a result of 98.1% in the most recent audit, which was the best result for the state in the category of facilities with more than 100 beds.