Page 11 - QARANC Vol 19 No 2 2021

The Gazette QARANC Association 9
Infection Prevention and Control at James Cook University Hospital
Whilst in the height of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the importance of strict Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) in maintaining patient and staff safety is clear. This was particularly evident on a busy vascular ward where I perform my primary role as a Healthcare Assistant. Consequently, I joined the IPC team in July to make a difference in the Trust and support both my military and civilian colleagues throughout this global challenge.
outbreaks. As a team we reiterate that donning and doffing is an important and essential requirement within departments such as ICU, HDU, Respiratory Support Units and wards treating positive, or suspected positive patients. Daily visits around such areas prompt all staff to follow the correct techniques. If poor compliance is still recognised, this can then be reported to the nurses in charge or ward managers. If
We form an inclusive
team made up of two registered nurses,
including Sergeant Elliot,
and five healthcare assistants. Our purpose
is to tackle the spread of COVID-19 within the trust,
covering wards and out-
patient areas, as well as supporting non-clinical
staff performing administrative roles around the site. Additionally, I carry out Hand Hygiene Audits on wards to collate information on the compliance of staff washing their hands before, during and after patient contact.
With military support, the Trust adopted ‘Donning and Doffing’ techniques and practices employed during operations such as Op GRITROCK, Sierra Leone. This taught staff to put on and remove PPE in a clean and safe order to minimise contamination. As part of this team we have trained approximately 9,000 members which is a fantastic effort! I also work alongside the Fit Testing Team, where we assess staff on the correct mask required on an individual basis. Importantly, this provides staff with the gold standard protection whilst working in a high-risk environment, including wards treating COVID-19 positive patients or where Aerosol Generated Procedures (AGPs) increase the risk of transmission.
Compliance with these techniques is not always achieved, and this was highlighted when some wards began experiencing COVID-19
Lance Corporal Hauxwell with an IPC message!
become a recognised skill when working throughout the pandemic, with individuals having to adapt, cope, and rise with the inevitable changes COVID-19 has brought globally.
we do try to focus on good practice, praising staff on their compliance and building rapport with our colleagues
escalation is needed, the feedback from our daily reports is raised in tactical meetings by our band 7 nurse so all Matrons and Directors of Nursing are aware of concerns.
However, we do try to focus on good practice, praising staff on their compliance and building rapport with our colleagues around the
trust. Working within this role, I have seen how physically and emotionally drained all healthcare professionals and support staff are becoming whilst working during this pandemic. This does make enforcement of correct techniques more challenging, but this is where my role becomes supportive in encouraging staff that the techniques employed are for them, their families and
their patients’ protection.
I have found that this supportive approach has been appreciated by staff needing to talk about their experiences and feelings. As a team we had utilised the STRIVE (Education Centre) to put on monthly ‘Happiness and Wellbeing’ afternoons, where members of staff
Working within the IPC team has broadened my knowledge with regards to infection prevention
Working within the IPC team has broadened my knowledge with regards to infection prevention and the need to understand and follow IPC policies and procedures. This is knowledge I can take away and utilise when working within other trusts, or on large scale exercises such as Ex JORVIK LOOK and future deployments.
can come and join us on their break for tea, coffee, and cake. Here, when necessary, we can provide information such as a COVID-19 Helpline, the Therapeutic Centre which provides messages for staff, and counsellor contact numbers for staff wishing to talk to somebody confidentially. Mental resilience has
I would highly recommend this secondment to all Military RNs and Healthcare Assistants, as it will broaden clinical knowledge within Infection Prevention and Control and foster better understanding of its importance and effectiveness within a clinical setting.
Lance Corporal Hauxwell