Infection prevention and control

Research focus

Infection prevention and control

“Premium non nocere” is a guiding principle for healthcare personnel which, when translated into English means, “first, do no harm”. Although dating back to the early 1800’s, and despite its deficiencies as an absolute principle it still has relevance in todays healthcare setting. Patients seek out healthcare practitioners generally expecting to gain some health benefit. Unfortunately there are some patients who are the subject of harm, such as acquiring an infection.

Focus lead

Associate Professor Philip Russo

Philip is Director of Nursing Research, Cabrini Health and Associate Professor, Monash Nursing and Midwifery. He is an internationally regarded expert in healthcare associated infection prevention.

Focus research team

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Chanika Ilangakoon

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Dr Auxillia Madhuvu

Current projects

  • The effect of COVID-19 on healthcare associated infections in a multi-campus private health care facility

    The overall aim of this study is to measure any effect on healthcare associated infection rates associated with the increased infection prevention awareness brought about by COVID-19. Led by Cabrini this study is being conducted together with researchers from Alfred Health and the University of Newcastle.

  • An exploratory study of the experiences of cancer patients and their caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic

    This research aims to document the experiences of cancer patients who were receiving active or palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic and their caregivers in order to inform future oncology/haematology and palliative care practice during crises. It is anticipated findings from this project will be available towards the end of 2021.

  • The utility of frailty indices in predicting the risk of healthcare associated infections: a systematic review

    This systematic review determined the effectiveness and appropriateness of frailty indices as an assessment tool in predicting HAI in inpatients and nursing home residents.

  • The accuracy of coded hospital acquired complication data in identifying healthcare associated infections

    The aim of this study is to determine the accuracy of coded hospital acquired complications data in identifying healthcare associated infections.

  • Psychosocial interventions at the end of life: a scoping review

    This scoping review will explore the nature of existing therapies and identify gaps in current literature on psychosocial interventions at the end-of-life for adult cancer patients and their caregivers.

  • Coronavirus in Victorian healthcare and aged care workers (COVIC-HA) cohort study

    This large multicentred study will describe the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare and aged care workers and workplaces over time using a mixed-methods approach

  • Development of customised distraction techniques for managing acute behavioural disturbance of elderly patients in the emergency department setting to limit use of chemical and physical restraint

    This fellowship will identify an accurate and efficient method of identifying healthcare associated infections (HAIs) that occur following total hip joint replacement (HJR), knee joint replacement (KJR) and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery that can be applied uniformly across different healthcare settings.

  • Patient perspectives of healthcare associated infection

    This project aims to generate a theoretical explanation of the main concerns of patients affected by different types of HAIs and how those patients act to resolve their concerns in the short and longer-term.

  • A new approach to disinvestment: Application to falls prevention mobilisation alarms

    This large multicentred stepped wedge study will test whether “Reduced” or “Eliminated” mobilisation alarm conditions are non-inferior to “Current” practice on wards with high levels of mobilisation alarm use for the prevention of falls.

External collaborators