IMpleMenting Effective infection prevention and control in ReSidential aged carE (IMMERSE): protocol for a...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Infection Prevention and Control
• Public Health

Background:

• Residential aged care facilities (RACFs) are high-risk settings for infections like influenza, gastroenteritis, and COVID-19.
• Infections in this population lead to significant morbidity and mortality.
• The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical gaps in infection prevention and control (IPC) within the aged care sector.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess RACF readiness for IPC practice changes.
• To explore current IPC practices and identify barriers to best practices.
• To develop and evaluate feasible, locally tailored solutions to improve IPC.

Main Methods:

• A four-phase, mixed-methods implementation study using theory-informed approaches.
• Data collection through scenario-based assessments, surveys, and semi-structured interviews with staff, residents, and families.
• Upskilling IPC leads and supporting the operationalization of identified solutions.

Main Results:

• The study will comprehensively explore IPC practices across multiple residential aged care facilities.
• Identified barriers to best practice IPC will be addressed through tailored interventions.
• Findings will inform and support evidence-based strategies for enhancing IPC.

Conclusions:

• Enhancing IPC in residential aged care is imperative to reduce infection-related harm.
• This study will provide locally appropriate, evidence-based strategies to improve IPC practices.
• The findings aim to strengthen the resilience of aged care facilities against infectious disease outbreaks.