Clean. Cover. Cannulate.: A Scalable Peer-Led Model for Infection Prevention in Ultrasound-Guided Cannulation
Tracks
Tāwhirimātea 1
| Wednesday, August 26, 2026 |
| 2:05 PM - 2:25 PM |
| Tāwhirimātea 1 |
Overview
Sarah Browning
Sponsored by Solventum
Speaker
Dr Sarah Browning
Clinical Director
Hunter New England Local Health District
Clean. Cover. Cannulate.: A Scalable Peer-Led Model for Infection Prevention in Ultrasound-Guided Cannulation
Abstract
Rationale:
Ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous cannula (PIVC) insertion is increasingly performed by junior doctors, often with informal, peer-led training. This contributes to variability in infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, particularly in ultrasound transducer reprocessing. Updated Australasian guidance supports low-level disinfection for non-invasive transducers when combined with appropriate aseptic technique and sterile probe covers. Baseline observations across a large, geographically diverse health district in New South Wales, Australia identified system and knowledge barriers to safe practice. This project aimed to develop a practical, scalable model for improving IPC in this setting.
Methodology:
Clean. Cover. Cannulate. is a junior doctor-designed, peer-delivered quality improvement initiative using the FOCUS-PDSA methodology. The project was structured in two phases.
Phase 1 (system redesign) focused on improving access to appropriate equipment, including standardising ward-level availability of sterile ultrasound probe covers and related consumables.
Phase 2 (implementation and education) will involve a structured, branded education campaign delivered by junior doctor teams across multiple hospital sites. Education is embedded within existing clinical workflows (e.g. teaching sessions, handovers, point-of-care prompts) and supported by ongoing audit processes, including surveys, spot interviews and stock audits.
Results (preliminary):
Baseline data demonstrated that 94% (32/34) of junior doctors reported barriers to safe practice, primarily related to equipment access (100%) and training (88%). Phase 1 interventions successfully improved availability of key consumables (from 13% to 73% across 15 wards in 1 tertiary hospital), establishing the foundation for broader implementation. Phase 2 education and evaluation are ongoing.
Conclusions:
Addressing system-level barriers is a critical first step in enabling safe practice. Embedding education within clinical workflows, delivered by peers, offers a pragmatic approach to engaging time-constrained junior doctors.
Recommendations:
This phased, peer-led model is scalable across diverse healthcare settings. Ongoing implementation across multiple sites will evaluate its impact on practice, sustainability, and cultural engagement with IPC.
Ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous cannula (PIVC) insertion is increasingly performed by junior doctors, often with informal, peer-led training. This contributes to variability in infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, particularly in ultrasound transducer reprocessing. Updated Australasian guidance supports low-level disinfection for non-invasive transducers when combined with appropriate aseptic technique and sterile probe covers. Baseline observations across a large, geographically diverse health district in New South Wales, Australia identified system and knowledge barriers to safe practice. This project aimed to develop a practical, scalable model for improving IPC in this setting.
Methodology:
Clean. Cover. Cannulate. is a junior doctor-designed, peer-delivered quality improvement initiative using the FOCUS-PDSA methodology. The project was structured in two phases.
Phase 1 (system redesign) focused on improving access to appropriate equipment, including standardising ward-level availability of sterile ultrasound probe covers and related consumables.
Phase 2 (implementation and education) will involve a structured, branded education campaign delivered by junior doctor teams across multiple hospital sites. Education is embedded within existing clinical workflows (e.g. teaching sessions, handovers, point-of-care prompts) and supported by ongoing audit processes, including surveys, spot interviews and stock audits.
Results (preliminary):
Baseline data demonstrated that 94% (32/34) of junior doctors reported barriers to safe practice, primarily related to equipment access (100%) and training (88%). Phase 1 interventions successfully improved availability of key consumables (from 13% to 73% across 15 wards in 1 tertiary hospital), establishing the foundation for broader implementation. Phase 2 education and evaluation are ongoing.
Conclusions:
Addressing system-level barriers is a critical first step in enabling safe practice. Embedding education within clinical workflows, delivered by peers, offers a pragmatic approach to engaging time-constrained junior doctors.
Recommendations:
This phased, peer-led model is scalable across diverse healthcare settings. Ongoing implementation across multiple sites will evaluate its impact on practice, sustainability, and cultural engagement with IPC.
Biography
Dr Sarah Browning is an Infectious Diseases Physician at John Hunter Hospital and Clinical Director of the Infection Prevention Service for Hunter New England Health, Australia. She is also a Conjoint Senior Lecturer at the University of Newcastle and a Clinical Health Services Research Fellow. Sarah leads district-wide infection prevention initiatives and founded the NextGen Infection Prevention Collaborative, a scalable program engaging junior doctors in improvement science and clinician-led change. Her research focuses on antimicrobial resistance and healthcare-associated infections, and she is currently undertaking a PhD on multidrug-resistant organism transmission in acute care settings.
