Funding to advance IPC in aged care

A study involving residents, families and carers to develop compassionate infection control strategies is among four targeted research projects the federal government is funding to better prevent and control the spread of infections in residential aged care.

Funded through the National Health and Medical Research Council, the projects aim to better understand the causes that influence successful implementation of IPC programs in aged care homes.

The four research projects will receive over $3,700,000 in total to inform evidence-based IPC interventions “that meet the varying needs of both public and private aged care homes across Australia and will also inform what actions are required for these programs to be successfully implemented,” reads a statement from the office of the Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells.

The funding has been awarded to:

• Monash University where Professor Anton Peleg will lead an optimised IPC study in residential care homes
• University of Melbourne where Dr Joanne Tropea will lead a study into implementing effective IPC in aged care homes
• University of Sydney where Professor Ramon Shaban will lead a study to establish standards for the governance, program elements and practice of IPC in residential care in Australia
• University of Technology Sydney where Dr Suyin Hor will partner with residents, families and carers to develop IPC strategies that are compassionate, appropriate and safe.

Dr Hor told Australian Ageing Agenda the funding was welcome and important.

“While we know a lot about infection control in hospitals and clinical settings, we don’t know enough about what should be done in residential aged care homes, which are hybrid spaces – both peoples’ homes and care environments,” she said, adding:  

“We are lucky to have the expertise of infection control professionals in preventing transmission, but we don’t know enough about what matters to residents, their families and carers. The pandemic has highlighted the need to find ways to prevent and control infectious diseases that are compassionate, safe, and appropriate for residents and staff in these unique settings.”

The NHMRC funding – which amounts to $991,000 – will allow Dr Hor and her team to spend time in aged care homes and engage with residents, families and care staff, to understand their perspectives on infection control and identify how it can be improved, based on their needs and priorities.

 “Our goal is to define what person-centred infection prevention and control looks like in residential aged care.” Dr Hor said. “We will build this evidence collaboratively, from the ground up, so that regulators, educators and providers can effectively integrate it into their teaching, monitoring and evaluation programs.”

Dr Hor told AAA it’s hoped the project will generate “context-rich evidence” of person-centred infection control in residential aged care. “With this evidence, we will co-design educational resources, and an elevation framework.”

The resources will then be trialled in aged care homes to ensure they are fit for purpose. “These resources will support IPC programs in residential aged care, effectively addressing the priorities and needs of older people, and aligning with the priorities of the incoming aged care reforms,” Dr Hor said.

Project to establish IPC standards

Professor Ramon Shaban and his team have been awarded $745,000 for the University of Sydney project.

He told AAA: “Aged care standards require all residential aged care homes  to appoint a designated infection control professional.”

The project supports this mandate by developing the evidence base for IPC in residential aged care homes, said Professor Shaban.

“We will establish standards for the essential elements and governance arrangements for IPC programs in residential aged care homes, and the practice and competency for IPCs in residential aged care homes.”

Person-centred, evidence-based approaches

Ms Wells said the government’s desire to improve IPC in residential care settings is driven by the intent of providing high-quality person-centred care.

“For our aged care sector we need to remain vigilant on our approach towards infection prevention and control – it is an integral part of quality and safety standard improvement.”

Professor Steve Wesselingh – NHMRC chief executive officer – said that while IPC practices that aim to minimise and stop the transmission of infections are critical in all environments, aged care homes needed particular protections.

“Residents of aged homes are amongst those most vulnerable and at risk, stressing the need for continued improvements within these settings.”

He added: “Our national research efforts must be directed towards adopting an evidence-based approach to infection protection and control – this will ultimately improve the health and wellbeing of aged care residents and the wider community.”

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