06 Dec 2016
Highlights from the 2016 ACIPC Conference
Written by Jennifer Bradford, Alex Hoskins and Leon Worth, VICNISS
The national Australian College for Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC) conference was hosted at the Pullman Hotel in Melbourne. A pre-conference workshop included the showcasing of new initiatives in hand hygiene, with more than 200 delegates attending.
The keynote speaker at this workshop was Professor Didier Pittet (considered by many to be the ‘modern day’ Semmelweis). Attendees were reminded of the continued challenges faced by all facilities in achieving sustainable improvements in staff hand hygiene practices.
When you see what the developing world countries have to contend with as far as even basic access to soap, water and sinks, let alone making their own alcohol hand rub solution, you understand the expression, ‘first world problem’.
It was also encouraging to hear of efforts that have been made to improve compliance in particularly difficult-to-engage groups, such as medical staff and staff in emergency departments.
The first day of the conference included presentations focused on improving infection prevention and control in specialised populations (ambulance services, dentistry, paediatrics, aged care, medical students and a greenfield hospital).
Review of the top international infection control papers of 2016 highlighted the emergence of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaciae (CPE), and the widespread challenge of improving hand hygiene compliance.
In particular, hearing about experiences of others in addressing the issue of CPE was very relevant as VICNISS are involved not only in surveillance of CPE but assistance and advice to Victorian infection control staff on strategies which ensure prompt identification of ‘high risk’ patients and the minimisation of risk of transmission within the healthcare environment.
Transmission of CPE in Victoria has only recently been confirmed, and every effort is being made to control this highly resistant group of organisms.
Day two began with a plenary session discussing the latest innovations in infection prevention and control with the key message being that to be successful interventions must be multi-modal, multi-disciplinary and adapted to individual facilities and outbreaks.
Marilyn Cruickshank gave an update from the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care and an overview of future directions – namely, antimicrobial stewardship and a web-based update of the Australian Infection Control Guidelines.
Other topics included validating hospital cleaning programs, healthcare worker influenza vaccination as a performance indicator and surveillance of central line associated bloodstream infections. The day closed with the opportunity to view the many and varied posters at a cocktail function.
Day three of the conference included a plenary session provided by Dr Jennie Wilson (UK) regarding optimal use of surveillance data. ’ Confronting words from Andrew Way, CEO of Alfred Health, have provided food for thought . Professor Way delivered a ‘CEO perspective’ on infection prevention, highlighting the need for improved safety and quality outcomes at the patient level.
This talk was spurred by the question, 'How many healthcare-associated infections is too many? He spoke of personal experiences as a patient within the service where he is the CEO and gave examples of poor hand hygiene and general poor infection control practice that he experienced, where he challenged the healthcare provider and named the poor practice.
Professor Way’s message was that we should be aiming for zero infections and focusing on personal harm as much as financial burden.
The conference concluded with an engaging debate regarding the identification of ‘the next national surveillance initiative’. Professor Lindsay Grayson, Associate Professor Brett Mitchell and Dr Phil Russo argued the merits of intravascular device management, catheter-associated urinary tract infections and improved surveillance strategies.
A live audience poll saw surveillance gaining 50 per cent of the vote, intravascular device management 30 per cent and catheter associated urinary tract infections 20 per cent.
The VICNISS team contributed substantially to the conference program, with invited talks provided by Associate Professor Leon Worth (infection prevention in transplant populations), Dr Noleen Bennett (surveillance for infections in aged care populations, hosting of pre-conference workshop on infections in aged care), and oral presentations by Alex Hoskins (healthcare worker immunisation) and Elizabeth Orr (hand hygiene programs in aged care).
Poster presentations included evaluation of Clostridium difficile infections through enhanced surveillance performed by the VICNISS Coordinating Centre.
The ACIPC conference provided an excellent opportunity to network with infection prevention colleagues nationally, to collaborate with key staff responsible for jurisdictional surveillance programs, to learn of emerging international threats and to glean latest innovations in healthcare quality improvement.