Infection Prevention and Control Response and Escalation Framework: Evaluation and application beyond a pandemic

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Infectious Disease Control
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid adaptation of Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) recommendations.
• Clinician capacity to stay updated was challenged by frequent changes in IPAC guidelines.
• The COVID-19 IPAC Response and Escalation Framework (IPAC Framework) was developed for scalable guidance in New South Wales (NSW) healthcare settings but was rarely reported or evaluated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the perceived utility and effectiveness of the COVID-19 IPAC Response and Escalation Framework.
• To assess stakeholder perceptions regarding the IPAC Framework's guidance and supporting resources.
• To explore the generalizability of the IPAC Framework for ongoing IPAC requirements.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study employing thematic analysis.
• An online, cross-sectional survey with 27 questions distributed to 248 key healthcare stakeholders.
• Participants included health workers involved in risk assessment, communication, implementation, or monitoring of the IPAC Framework.

Main Results:

• 93% of respondents perceived the IPAC Framework as a useful tool for managing COVID-19.
• 91% reported the Framework provided adequate, transmission-risk-aligned IPAC strategies.
• 84% found the supporting resources authoritative and widely accepted.

Conclusions:

• The IPAC Framework is considered invaluable by clinicians and administrators for managing pandemic-related IPAC requirements in healthcare.
• The IPAC Framework demonstrates potential for broader application to support general IPAC needs beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.