How has COVID-19 changed infection prevention and control
Adjunct Professor (Practice) Alison McMillan PSM Commonwealth Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer is a member of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and the co-chair of the Infection Control Expert Group (ICEG). ICEG provides expert advice and information to support best practice related to infection prevention and control (IPC) in community, hospital and other institutional settings. It also provides expert advice to AHPPC, the key decision making committee for health emergencies. ICEG is made up of professionals from across Australia who have a diverse range of expertise and experience in IPC. ACIPC is represented on ICEG.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the practical, evidence-based science of IPC to the forefront, as national and international efforts are made to prevent and minimise the spread of SARS-CoV-2. While IPC has been a long standing, essential component of education and practice for health care professionals, its importance and impact has not been more appreciated than at this time for our generation.
As part of its work, ICEG has developed and led the application of the hierarchy of controls to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19. The implementation of these controls provides a balanced, risk-based framework to protect healthcare workers, in all settings, from COVID-19.
A major issue that has hampered the provision of IPC advice has been a lack of understanding of the infection and what is effective in protecting against SARS-CoV-2. However, as the evidence emerges, groups like ICEG have been pivotal in appraising the evidence and updating advice and guidance that has then been applied by governments across the country.
In her presentation Professor McMillan will reflect on infection prevention and control during the pandemic and the implications this has for the future.
Biography:
Alison McMillan commenced as the Australian Government Department of Health’s Commonwealth
Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer in November 2019.
Alison is a Registered Nurse with a Critical Care Nursing Certificate, a Bachelor Degree in Education, a Master of Business Administration, she has held senior executive roles in government and health services within Victoria including the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer and Director of Quality, Safety and Patient Experience.
Alison is a member of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee contributing to advice provided to the National Cabinet during the COVID-19 pandemic and, as Co-Chair of the Infection Control Expert Group providing advice and information on best practice on infection prevention and control in the community, hospitals, aged care, schools and community sport.
Alison has been a part of a team providing communication to the community, which is clear, honest, and compassionate. She was awarded a Public Service Medal in June 2021 for outstanding public service to driving the Government’s national health response priorities during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly to infection prevention measures.