Protocol to establish standards for the elements of infection prevention and control programs and practice and competency standards for infection control professionals in Australian hospitals

Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are the most frequent hospital-acquired complication, resulting in significant mortality, disability, and system-level costs in Australian hospitals. Many HAIs can be prevented with appropriate infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, including IPC programs led by infection control professionals (ICPs). Despite recent improvements in hospital IPC practices in Australia, such as the introduction of National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards for hospital accreditation, there are currently no evidence-based minimum standards for the content, composition, and governance of IPC programs, nor the identification of their core elements. Furthermore, there is a similar lack of evidence-based minimum standards guiding the practice requirements, skills, and competencies of hospital ICPs. This protocol outlines a sequential three-phase research design to establish the core requirements for the elements and governance of IPC programs, as well as minimum practice standards for ICPs in Australian hospitals. Phase 1 will involve two integrative reviews to synthesise the elements and governance systems of international IPC programs, and the competencies, education and practice standards for hospital ICPs globally. Phase 2 will use survey and interview methodologies to examine the current content and structure of IPC programs and governance systems in Australian hospitals, as well as the academic and professional content of IPC education and training courses for ICPs in Australia. In Phase 3, a modified electronic Delphi study will be conducted to generate expert consensus on the core requirements of Australian hospital IPC programs and systems of governance, and the professional practice, qualifications and competencies for Australian ICPs. The outcomes of Phase 3 will form the basis for the development of new standards that aim to equip the Australian acute care sector to deliver evidence-based IPC practices, education, resources, and governance.