By Vanessa Sparke, Lecturer and PhD Candidate, James Cook University
The opportunity to become involved with Atoifi Adventist Hospital and the research group came indirectly through the WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing & Midwifery Education & Research Capacity Building Centre (WHOCC) at James Cook University (JCU). The Centre’s Director, Associate Professor Dr Caryn West was in a conversation with Dr David MacLaren about the need to fill a gap which had been self-identified by AAH as needing to strengthen and improve infection control (IC) processes. Caryn’s response to David was, “Have I got the person for you!”
As a nurse, infection prevention and control has become a bit of a passion for me. I ‘cut my teeth’ (so to speak) as an Infection Control Nurse at a large hospital in Melbourne, while studying a Masters of Tropical Health and Medicine at JCU. After five years at a large city hospital, I moved to the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia, where I was challenged with maintaining and improving IC practices, processes and plans across the regions small hospitals and remote primary health centres. It was a challenge that I loved, understood and was good at!
While moving to JCU (Cairns) and out of the healthcare world into academia was somewhat of a ‘culture shock’, the ability to maintain my interest and passion for IC continued with the creation of the Graduate Certificate of Infection Control (which I coordinate). When I was asked by Caryn if I would I be interested in working with Atoifi Hospital, without any hesitation I said yes! What’s more, I said I would even do a PhD around this (it’s only taken me five years to say yes to a PhD).
The week in Atoifi Hospital exceeded my expectations. Not only was I amongst a group of people (fellow researchers from Australia) who were passionate about the public health of the people, and with whom I could talk the same language, but I was among the most welcoming and accepting community at Atoifi Hospital. The Hospital was surprisingly larger than I anticipated and catered for not only medical requirements but surgical as well. A theatre, emergency room, outpatients area and wards (including maternity) meant that the hospital had the capacity for about 60 inpatients, and the ability to explore, speak to staff and audit infection control processes throughout the week. I was made to feel so welcome that I struggled with my emotions when it was time to leave.
The staff at AAH have a big job ahead of them. It is a hospital setting with an unreliable supply of consumable resources, and a built environment that doesn’t support even some of the most basic IC practices. This means it will take some time to raise the IC standards and identify alternative ways of approaching the IC challenges. The IC team (pictured) at Atoifi Hospital know their work much better than I do, and they know what is ‘doable’ - the solutions need to come from what they know they can do. Together we will reach their goal of improved IC practices. With some lateral thinking and local ingenuity anything is achievable!
Thank you to Rowena Asugeni, Director of Nursing, for inviting me to partner with Atoifi Hospital, and to all the staff for being my source of information and inspiration. This is just the beginning.
Photos: (i) Newly formed IC team,Atoifi Hospital (L-R) Dr Jason Diau, Kenny Moutoa, Rowena Asugeni, Lyndelle Asugeni ; (ii) Vanessa saying goodbye
