Pictured from left: IPC Lead Role, Merindah Lodge, Susan Brown, Quality Coordinator, Sally Mactaggart with Merindah Lodge Resident, Josie Douglas.
Merindah Lodge are keeping their infection risk low after being assessed as 100 per cent compliant for ‘Bare Below the Elbow’ during a recent audit of the South West Healthcare facility.
A strong push by recently appointed infection prevention nurses saw this assessment result increase nearly 20 per cent from last time.
Director Camperdown Hospital and Aged Care Service, Abhinay Dolar said the team had worked really hard to make sure the residents are protected while continuing South West Healthcare’s high standard of care.
“Both our last audit and this one has seen our compliance above the National Benchmark of 80 per cent.
“To improve from 86 per cent to 100 per cent in a six-month period is a remarkable achievement and we’re very proud of the commitment shown by our staff,” said Mr Dolar.
Bare Below the Elbows is a campaign born from Standard 3 of the National Safety & Quality Health Services Standards which aims to reduce infection risk to patients, manage infections if they occur and limiting the possibility of antibiotic resistance.
Care Services Manager for Merindah Lodge, Hellen Radford, said it was great to see the improvement between the six-monthly audits.
“Factors assessed during an audit include staff having short clean nails, not wearing watches or bracelets and sleeves above the elbow,” said Ms Radford.
South West Healthcare also prescribes to the ‘Five Moments of Hand Hygiene’ which acts as a reminder for hand sanitation at particular touch points when dealing with a resident.