Infection Prevention and Control Department

The aim of the infection control department is to achieve:

• a safe hospital environment and to do all possible to prevent healthcare-associated infection
• to supply an innovative and enthusiastic approach to the learning needs of all members of staff in the hospital
• to strive for excellence in infection control using evidence-based practice to achieve the best possible patient care.

All members of the infection control team aim to create an environment where patients feel safe and comfortable. They will aim to provide information and education to enhance patient understanding of the care they receive and to help alleviate any anxiety.

Services 

The infection prevention and control team is multidisciplinary and consists of a consultant microbiologist, clinical nurse specialists and surgical site infection surveillance specialist. The infection prevention and control team perform daily rounds of all clinical areas. This helps in early identification of possible infection control issues and facilitates appropriate action to prevent any exposure to potential hazards to patients, staff and visitors, providing appropriate management and placement of patients with a known or suspected infection.

We liaise with all departments and staff supporting and providing advice on all infection prevention and control issues. The team endeavours to implement the HIQA national standards for the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections 2017 and to implement recommendations from HIQA inspection reports against the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare.

The team provide an education program for all members of staff on a wide range of infection control issues ranging from hand hygiene education to antibiotic use. The consultant microbiologist provides advice to clinicians on appropriate treatment for infections as required. Prescriptions are monitored for appropriateness of antibiotic choice, dose and duration of therapy. We perform regular audits in all departmental areas on various issues including hand hygiene, infection control work-related practices and antibiotic stewardship. Hand hygiene audits are performed using the HSE national hand hygiene audit tool and are reported twice a year to the HSE.
The team carry out surveillance on healthcare-associated infections with feedback to all staff, reviewing ways in which to minimise/eliminate hospital acquired infections.

Post-discharge surgical site surveillance is undertaken on a range of surgeries. Data is collected on rates of surgical site infections, which ensures measures are put in place to prevent and reduce the occurrence of surgical site infections.

The team oversees all hygiene aspects and works closely with the cleaning staff and hospital management to ensure a good standard of hygiene in the hospital. The team liaise with management and relevant parties during any hospital project works, to maintain a high standard of hygiene. The team are also key stakeholders in many other aspects of the hospital including decontamination purchasing and policy development.
Finally, the team endeavours to have a close relationship with all the patients and their families in the hospital and provides education and support for any infection control issues.

Further information