The Science Behind Healthcare Cleaning. Keynote session from Prof. Karen Vickery at iClean Conference 2024
With a career dedicated to the improvement of hospital safety and infection prevention, Professor Karen Vickery's expertise has been instrumental in redefining global disinfection practices. Her focus on the science behind biofilm formation and eradication offers a fresh perspective on the necessity for meticulous cleaning regimes, particularly in healthcare settings where the stakes are exceptionally high.
Professor Vickery's 2017 presentation at the iClean Conference focused on the challenges of biofilms in healthcare settings and their resistance to standard cleaning and disinfection methods. She emphasized the importance of preventing biofilm formation, demonstrated through experiments with dental syringes and clinical environments, highlighting biofilms' ability to protect pathogens like hepatitis B. Vickery discussed the efficacy of cleaning protocols, including ATP monitoring, and the need for a combined approach of physical and chemical methods to disrupt and prevent biofilms.
“We need to increase our training, we need increased monitoring, and we have to provide feedback.”
In this year at iClean Conference 2024, Prof. Vickery's a new session will challenge our current cleaning programs, highlighting whether we are cleaning and disinfecting surfaces effectively or not. Karen will demonstrate the science and educate us as to why certain surfaces require a higher level of cleaning and disinfection efficacy. This is a great opportunity for your Infection Control and Environmental Services Managers to be hearing the latest research together.
Join us at the upcoming iClean Conference to hear from Professor Vickery herself about the latest advancements in healthcare cleaning. It's an opportunity not only to gain insights from a leading expert in the field but also to contribute to a broader dialogue on improving patient safety and infection control practices across the healthcare industry.
Conference Dates:
March 12th - Brisbane
March 13th - Sydney
March 15th - Adelaide
March 19th - Perth
March 21st - Melbourne
Past Attendee Feedback
The conference was amazingly well run. Plenty of opportunities to ask questions. The speakers were world leaders and very informative.
- Elizabeth, Greengate Aged Care
The Conference highlight was being able to access international, science-backed information from experts in their field. When training I need to be able to present information that is truthful and based on validated information. The staff was another highlight. Everyone I dealt with was fantastic, professional, and just lovely.
- Bronwyn McLaws, HITsa Training and Employment
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to all of the guest speakers they had lots of great information and advice to help improve our Environmental Services Team.
- Jenelle East, Casterton Hospital
Outstanding conference. I thought everything from the speakers to the conference expo was excellent.
- Teena Russell, ACT Health
Fantastic conference, very informative and accessible for everyone.
- Theresa Walker, Jacaranda Village
