Safe move: Coffs Harbour Health Campus staff freshen up their PPE donning, doffing and hand dancing moves.

Refreshing PPE skills and infectious disease preparedness

Dec 16, 2024

MNCLHD recently welcomed two of the Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC) Health Care Associated Infection (HAI)/ Infection Prevention and Control (IPaC) Team.

Dr Susan Jain and Steph Wilcox (Morgan) conducted specialised training at Kempsey District Hospital, Coffs Harbour Health Campus and Port Macquarie Base Hospital as part of High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) personal protective equipment (PPE) training, incorporating pandemic preparedness, where participants were involved in donning and doffing of HCID PPE.

The morning workshop focused on education around safe principles for infection prevention and control and undertook a train-the-trainer learning module which included assessment for donning and removing PPE (for level 1 PPE).

The second part of the day focused on learning about what HCID are, and the identification and management processes of patients who may present with a HCID.

All health workers required to wear HCID PPE must undergo training in donning and doffing and be deemed competent by a recognised trainer.

This statewide standardised training program will support MNCLHD towards implementation and compliance to NSW policy directive Early Response to High Consequence Infectious Disease (PD2024_005) and NSW Policy Infection Prevention and Control in Healthcare Settings (PD 2023_025).

It was a really productive and informative day and enjoyed by all. This training accompanies the release of two instructional videos by the CEC, developed by a panel of experts in consultation with relevant stakeholders after reviewing national and international guidelines.

Visit the CEC website to view their videos on donning and doffing of PPE for HCIDs: Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) and Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) Program – Clinical Excellence Commission