As the winter season approaches, healthcare facilities face increasing challenges in combating infectious diseases, particularly the hidden threats posed by pathogens that lurk on surfaces. GAMA Healthcare is proud to introduce the “Stay a Step Ahead of Winter Infections” campaign, which aims to equip healthcare professionals with essential Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) knowledge and resources to effectively combat winter infections and keep patients safe and residents.
Our campaign focuses on three key focus areas: surface decontamination, patient and resident hand hygiene, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). These areas are considered crucial for curbing infection transmission, mitigating the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and combating the threat of hidden pathogens during the winter months.
Surface decontamination: In healthcare settings, strict surface decontamination procedures are of paramount importance to prevent the spread of infection. Touchable surfaces such as bed rails, keyboards and tables serve as breeding grounds for harmful pathogens and promote the transmission of infections. Inadequate room cleaning can increase the risk of patients and residents being exposed to microorganisms from previous residents by up to 73%. To prevent infections, ensuring proper surface cleaning is critical. This IPC awareness campaign highlights the importance of adhering to strict cleaning protocols and using effective disinfectants to effectively mitigate this risk, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining hygienic environments in healthcare settings.
Hand hygiene of patients and residents: Maintaining optimal hand hygiene among patients and residents is another cornerstone for breaking the chain of infection. Studies show that 39% of patients carry at least one pathogen on their hands, including dangerous enemies such as rhinoviruses, gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, and even hepatitis A.
It has been shown that promoting and monitoring hand hygiene practices can significantly reduce HAI rates. Through a series of educational resources and initiatives, our campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of proper hand hygiene practices and empower healthcare professionals to advocate for and support these protocols with the people they care for.
Antibiotic resistance (AMR): The emergence of antimicrobial resistance poses a huge challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics has driven the spread of resistant pathogens and made the treatment of infections increasingly difficult. By preventing HAIs, we can significantly reduce the spread of resistant microbes. This campaign highlights the critical role of implementing robust infection prevention strategies and surveillance measures to combat antimicrobial resistance and reduce infection rates. Statistics show that over 1,000 deaths in Australia are due to AMR-associated cases, mainly due to resistant HAIs. In addition to other antimicrobial control measures, the use of appropriate disinfectants and techniques can effectively reduce the risks of HAIs and AMR. To ensure patient well-being and healthcare sustainability, a comprehensive approach to addressing this urgent healthcare challenge is required.
FREE infection prevention resources
As part of the Stay a Step Ahead of Winter Infections campaign, download educational resources and tools such as educational posters, articles, interactive crossword puzzles and more, all designed to expand knowledge and raise awareness of infection prevention practices.
Participate in the IPC Knowledge Sharing Competition
Healthcare professionals are invited to participate in our IPC Hot Tips Competition, which provides a platform to raise awareness of hidden infection threats, patient and resident hand hygiene, and AMR management strategies. Share your insights and ideas on infection prevention and win something.
Educational webinar
To further support our IPC colleagues, we are hosting a winter preparation webinar that will provide valuable insights and strategies to effectively combat winter infections.
References
Wozniak, T.M., Dyda, A., Merlo, G. & Hall, L. (2022). Burden of disease, associated mortality and economic impact of antimicrobial-resistant infections in Australia. The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific, 27, 100521. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanwpc/article/PIIS2666-6065(22)00136-5/fulltext
Loveday, H., Tingle, A. & Wilson, J. (2020). Using a multimodal strategy to improve patient hand hygiene. American Journal of Infection Control, 49(6). https://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(20)31064-6/fulltext
Carling, PC, & Huang, SS (2013). Improving environmental cleaning and disinfection in healthcare settings – current and evolving issues. Infection control and hospital epidemiology, 34(5), 507–513. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/infection-control-and-hospitalepidemiology/article/abs/improving-healthcare-environmental-cleaning-and-disinfectioncurrent-and-evolving-issues/149C7D943A348162ACAC18B69FC46225