GAMA launches campaign to minimise winter HAIs
GAMA Healthcare, supported by the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC), has launched a ‘Be a Winter Champion’ campaign.
The campaign aims to help Australian healthcare facilities prepare for the winter season and minimise the spread of Healthcare-associated Infections (HAIs). It will run from April to June 2023.
Suzanne Hammouche, CEO of GAMA Healthcare Australia, said, “Winter is a challenging season for healthcare facilities, as infectious diseases increase causing a surge in patient admissions and putting a strain on healthcare resources.
“To help healthcare facilities fight against infections, GAMA Healthcare, a leader in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) solutions have developed the IPC Winter Toolkit with the support of ACIPC.”
The IPC Winter Toolkit includes a Winter Infections Booklet, awareness posters, interactive IPC Winter Champion activity, respiratory virus factsheet and the opportunity for healthcare facilities to nominate their staff for the IPC Winter Champion Award.
Winter Infections Booklet: Helps staff prepare and respond to winter challenges. It includes key winter pathogens of concern (influenza, RSV, COVID, adenovirus and norovirus), measures to prevent and reduce infections and an outbreak management guide.
Respiratory Virus Factsheet: Offers advice to help differentiate between common signs and symptoms of COVID-19, influenza, RSV and allergies.
IPC Awareness Posters: Designed to serve as a visual reminder to staff, patients and visitors on the benefits of good IPC practices in maintaining a safe environment for all.
IPC Winter Champion Award: A platform to recognise IPC excellence by nominating staff to celebrate their IPC achievements. The award includes social recognition and a certificate to appreciate staff efforts and encourage continued good IPC practices for a safer healthcare environment.
Providers are invited to download and share the IPC Winter Toolkit to help make healthcare staff Winter Champions and prepare to fight infections this winter.
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