Aug 27
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Lyndon Forrest
Engaging Healthcare Teams in Stewardship Efforts
Training and Educating Staff on Antimicrobial Stewardship
Effective stewardship requires the active involvement of all healthcare team members, from doctors and nurses to pharmacists and aides. Training and education are critical components of ASPs, ensuring that all staff members understand the principles of antimicrobial stewardship and their role in its implementation. This training often includes information on the risks of antibiotic overuse, the importance of accurate diagnosis, and strategies for managing infections without relying on antibiotics. Ongoing education and refresher courses help keep staff up to date with the latest guidelines and best practices.
Building a Culture of Accountability and Responsibility
Creating a culture of accountability is essential for the success of antimicrobial stewardship efforts. This involves setting clear expectations for antibiotic use, providing feedback on prescribing practices, and holding healthcare providers accountable for their decisions. By fostering a sense of responsibility for patient outcomes and the long-term effectiveness of antibiotics, ASPs help ensure that all team members are committed to the goals of stewardship. Leadership is crucial in setting the tone and providing support to build and sustain this culture.
How to Foster Collaboration Between Healthcare Providers
Collaboration between healthcare providers is vital to the success of antimicrobial stewardship. ASPs encourage teamwork by facilitating communication between care team members, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and infection control specialists. Regular meetings, case reviews, and interdisciplinary rounds provide opportunities to discuss complex cases, share insights, and develop coordinated approaches to patient care. This collaboration helps ensure that all aspects of a resident's care are considered when deciding antibiotic use.
The Role of Technology in Antimicrobial Stewardship
Using Electronic Health Records to Track and Monitor Prescriptions
Technology has become an invaluable ally in antimicrobial stewardship efforts in the digital age. Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are a powerful tool to track and monitor antibiotic prescriptions across an aged care facility. Integrating EHRs into stewardship programs allows healthcare providers to access a resident's medical history, previous antibiotic use, and any noted drug resistance. This allows for more informed decision-making, reducing the risk of inappropriate antibiotic use. Moreover, EHRs facilitate real-time monitoring, enabling healthcare teams to quickly identify and address any patterns of over-prescription or misuse that could lead to drug resistance.
Decision Support Tools: Helping Clinicians Make Better Choices
Decision support tools embedded within EHR systems further enhance the effectiveness of antimicrobial stewardship programs. These tools provide clinicians with evidence-based guidelines at the point of care, helping them select the most appropriate antibiotic, dose, and duration for each patient. By offering reminders, alerts, and best practice recommendations, decision support tools assist in preventing errors and ensuring that every prescription is aligned with current standards of care. This improves patient outcomes and reinforces the principles of good practice.
How Data Analytics Can Drive Better Stewardship Outcomes
Data analytics optimises antimicrobial stewardship programs by providing deep insights into prescription patterns, resistance trends, and treatment outcomes. By analysing large datasets, aged care facilities can identify areas where antibiotic use can be improved. For instance, analytics can highlight which infections are most commonly over-treated or reveal correlations between certain antibiotics and the emergence of resistant strains. By leveraging these insights, healthcare teams can refine their stewardship strategies, targeting interventions where they are most needed and continually improving the effectiveness of their programs.
Moreover, predictive analytics can anticipate potential outbreaks of resistant infections within a facility, allowing for pre-emptive actions. This proactive approach not only helps curb the spread of resistant bacteria but also ensures that resources are allocated efficiently, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.
Moreover, predictive analytics can anticipate potential outbreaks of resistant infections within a facility, allowing for pre-emptive actions. This proactive approach not only helps curb the spread of resistant bacteria but also ensures that resources are allocated efficiently, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.
Communicating the Importance of Stewardship to Residents and Families
Why Transparency Matters: Educating Residents About Stewardship
Transparency is a cornerstone of effective antimicrobial stewardship, especially in aged care settings where residents and their families are deeply invested in the quality of care. Educating residents about the importance of stewardship programs helps them understand why specific treatments are recommended—or withheld—and reassures them that their care is being managed thoughtfully and responsibly. This education can include informational sessions, printed materials, or one-on-one discussions, where healthcare providers explain how stewardship efforts contribute to better health outcomes and the long-term effectiveness of antibiotics.
By fostering an open dialogue, aged care facilities can build trust with residents and their families, making them active partners in the stewardship process. This collaborative approach enhances compliance with prescribed treatments and encourages residents to voice concerns and ask questions, leading to more personalised and effective care.
By fostering an open dialogue, aged care facilities can build trust with residents and their families, making them active partners in the stewardship process. This collaborative approach enhances compliance with prescribed treatments and encourages residents to voice concerns and ask questions, leading to more personalised and effective care.
Tips for Discussing Antimicrobial Stewardship with Families
When discussing antimicrobial stewardship with families, it is essential to approach the conversation with empathy and clarity. Families often worry about the health and safety of their loved ones, so explaining the rationale behind stewardship practices in simple, relatable terms can help alleviate their concerns. For example, healthcare providers might explain that using antibiotics only when necessary helps prevent future infections that could be harder to treat.
It is also helpful to provide examples of how stewardship has directly benefited residents in the past, such as by reducing the risk of side effects or preventing the spread of a resistant infection. Encouraging questions and being transparent about the decision-making process fosters a sense of trust and ensures that families feel confident in the care their loved ones are receiving.
It is also helpful to provide examples of how stewardship has directly benefited residents in the past, such as by reducing the risk of side effects or preventing the spread of a resistant infection. Encouraging questions and being transparent about the decision-making process fosters a sense of trust and ensures that families feel confident in the care their loved ones are receiving.
Addressing Concerns and Misconceptions About Antibiotic Use
Misconceptions about antibiotic use are common, particularly the belief that antibiotics are a cure-all for infections. Addressing these misconceptions is a crucial aspect of antimicrobial stewardship education. Healthcare providers should take the time to explain that antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections and that overusing them can lead to resistance, making future infections more difficult to treat.
It is also important to reassure residents and families that other non-antibiotic treatments can be equally effective for many conditions and that withholding antibiotics is made with the resident's best interests in mind. By dispelling myths and providing clear, evidence-based information, healthcare providers can help residents and their families feel more comfortable with stewardship practices and the broader goal of preserving antibiotic efficacy.
It is also important to reassure residents and families that other non-antibiotic treatments can be equally effective for many conditions and that withholding antibiotics is made with the resident's best interests in mind. By dispelling myths and providing clear, evidence-based information, healthcare providers can help residents and their families feel more comfortable with stewardship practices and the broader goal of preserving antibiotic efficacy.
Lyndon Forrest
Managing Director | CEO
Lyndon is the Managing Director of Infection Prevention Services (IPS), bringing over 30 years' experience supporting aged care providers across Australia and New Zealand.
With a background spanning outbreak response, compliance, and infection risk management — alongside hands-on experience leading teams, managing multi-site operations, and navigating business turnaround — he understands both the clinical and organisational pressures aged care providers face. Lyndon holds a Master of Commerce (Industrial Relations), and applies that foundation to the people, process, and growth challenges that come with running a complex healthcare services business.
He is passionate about building the systems and capability that make infection prevention sustainable — not just compliant — and about helping organisations grow their confidence alongside their practice.
Lyndon's focus is straightforward: strengthen operations, develop the right people, and drive proactive infection prevention strategies that protect residents, staff, and communities for the long term.
Lyndon is the Managing Director of Infection Prevention Services (IPS), bringing over 30 years' experience supporting aged care providers across Australia and New Zealand.
With a background spanning outbreak response, compliance, and infection risk management — alongside hands-on experience leading teams, managing multi-site operations, and navigating business turnaround — he understands both the clinical and organisational pressures aged care providers face. Lyndon holds a Master of Commerce (Industrial Relations), and applies that foundation to the people, process, and growth challenges that come with running a complex healthcare services business.
He is passionate about building the systems and capability that make infection prevention sustainable — not just compliant — and about helping organisations grow their confidence alongside their practice.
Lyndon's focus is straightforward: strengthen operations, develop the right people, and drive proactive infection prevention strategies that protect residents, staff, and communities for the long term.
Erica Callaghan
Marketing Manager
Erica Callaghan is a dedicated professional with a rich background in agriculture and nutrient management. Growing up on her family's farm in Mid Canterbury, she developed a deep passion for farming. She currently resides on her partner's arable property in South Canterbury.
In 2017, Erica joined the Farm Sustainability team, focusing on nutrient management and environmental stewardship. In February 2024, she became the Manager of Marketing and Sales at Bug Control New Zealand - Infection Prevention Services, where her passion now includes improving infection prevention outcomes.
Outside of work, Erica loves cooking and traveling, often combining her culinary interests with her explorations in Italy and Vietnam. She enjoys entertaining family and friends and remains actively involved in farm activities, especially during harvest season.
Erica Callaghan is a dedicated professional with a rich background in agriculture and nutrient management. Growing up on her family's farm in Mid Canterbury, she developed a deep passion for farming. She currently resides on her partner's arable property in South Canterbury.
In 2017, Erica joined the Farm Sustainability team, focusing on nutrient management and environmental stewardship. In February 2024, she became the Manager of Marketing and Sales at Bug Control New Zealand - Infection Prevention Services, where her passion now includes improving infection prevention outcomes.
Outside of work, Erica loves cooking and traveling, often combining her culinary interests with her explorations in Italy and Vietnam. She enjoys entertaining family and friends and remains actively involved in farm activities, especially during harvest season.
Toni Sherriff
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Toni is a Registered Nurse with extensive experience in Infection Prevention and Control. Her career began as a kitchen hand and caregiver in Aged Care facilities, followed by earning a Bachelor of Nursing.
Toni has significant experience, having worked in Brisbane’s Infectious Diseases ward before returning home to New Zealand, where she continued her career as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Infection Prevention and Control within Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ).
Toni brings her expertise and dedication to our team, which is instrumental in providing top-tier infection prevention solutions to our clients.
Toni is a Registered Nurse with extensive experience in Infection Prevention and Control. Her career began as a kitchen hand and caregiver in Aged Care facilities, followed by earning a Bachelor of Nursing.
Toni has significant experience, having worked in Brisbane’s Infectious Diseases ward before returning home to New Zealand, where she continued her career as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Infection Prevention and Control within Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ).
Toni brings her expertise and dedication to our team, which is instrumental in providing top-tier infection prevention solutions to our clients.
Julie Hadfield
Accounts & Payroll
Julie is experienced in Accounts & Payroll Administration & after a long career in both the Financial & Local Government Sectors, is now working with our team. Julie brings her strong time management & organisational skills to our team, which is important to keep the company running in the background to enable the rest of our team to provide top notch service to all of our clients.
Julie is experienced in Accounts & Payroll Administration & after a long career in both the Financial & Local Government Sectors, is now working with our team. Julie brings her strong time management & organisational skills to our team, which is important to keep the company running in the background to enable the rest of our team to provide top notch service to all of our clients.
Andrea Murray
Content Editor
I attended Otago University in NZ and graduated as a Dental Surgeon. After 40 years in the profession, I retired in 2022. Infection prevention knowledge was part of everyday practice, dealing with sterilisation, hand hygiene, and cleaning.
Before retiring, I began doing some editing and proofreading for Bug Control as I am interested in the subject and in the English language. During the COVID-19 lockdown, I attended the ACIPC course "Introduction to Infection Prevention and Control", which increased my interest in the subject. I now work part-time as the Content Editor for the company.
I attended Otago University in NZ and graduated as a Dental Surgeon. After 40 years in the profession, I retired in 2022. Infection prevention knowledge was part of everyday practice, dealing with sterilisation, hand hygiene, and cleaning.
Before retiring, I began doing some editing and proofreading for Bug Control as I am interested in the subject and in the English language. During the COVID-19 lockdown, I attended the ACIPC course "Introduction to Infection Prevention and Control", which increased my interest in the subject. I now work part-time as the Content Editor for the company.
Personally, I lived in the UK for 10 years. My two children were born in Scotland, and now both are living in Europe, one in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and the other in Edinburgh, Scotland. I live close to Fairlie on the South Island of NZ, a beautiful part of the country, and I love being out of the city.
Princess
Customer Support
Princess began her career as a dedicated Customer Service Representative, honing her communication and problem-solving skills. She later transitioned into a Literary Specialist role, where she developed a keen eye for detail. Her journey then led her to a Sales Specialist position, where she excelled in client relations.
Now, as a Customer Support professional in Infection Prevention Services. Princess focuses on ensuring customer satisfaction, building loyalty, and enhancing the overall customer journey.
Princess began her career as a dedicated Customer Service Representative, honing her communication and problem-solving skills. She later transitioned into a Literary Specialist role, where she developed a keen eye for detail. Her journey then led her to a Sales Specialist position, where she excelled in client relations.
Now, as a Customer Support professional in Infection Prevention Services. Princess focuses on ensuring customer satisfaction, building loyalty, and enhancing the overall customer journey.
Dianne Newey
Senior Infection Prevention and Control Consultant
Dianne is a Senior Clinical Consultant at Infection Prevention Services (IPS), bringing over 35 years of nursing experience and a depth of clinical knowledge that most people would need two careers to accumulate.
Having served as Clinical Director at Royal Ryde Rehabilitation Hospital alongside a career spanning the full breadth of clinical practice, Dianne has seen it all — and more importantly, knows exactly what to do about it. She is the person in the room that everyone quietly hopes will speak first.
For more than seven years she has been a cornerstone of the IPS team, providing clinical advice, developing and reviewing policies and procedures, delivering monthly IPC webinars to IP Leads, and conducting environmental audits in aged care facilities across Australia and New Zealand. If infection prevention has a question, Dianne almost certainly has the answer — and she'll deliver it with a laugh that you'll hear from the other end of the corridor.
A true fountain of knowledge, wrapped in the kind of warmth and humour that only three decades of nursing can produce. Customers don't just trust Dianne — they look forward to hearing from her.
Dianne is a Senior Clinical Consultant at Infection Prevention Services (IPS), bringing over 35 years of nursing experience and a depth of clinical knowledge that most people would need two careers to accumulate.
Having served as Clinical Director at Royal Ryde Rehabilitation Hospital alongside a career spanning the full breadth of clinical practice, Dianne has seen it all — and more importantly, knows exactly what to do about it. She is the person in the room that everyone quietly hopes will speak first.
For more than seven years she has been a cornerstone of the IPS team, providing clinical advice, developing and reviewing policies and procedures, delivering monthly IPC webinars to IP Leads, and conducting environmental audits in aged care facilities across Australia and New Zealand. If infection prevention has a question, Dianne almost certainly has the answer — and she'll deliver it with a laugh that you'll hear from the other end of the corridor.
A true fountain of knowledge, wrapped in the kind of warmth and humour that only three decades of nursing can produce. Customers don't just trust Dianne — they look forward to hearing from her.
Caoimhe (Keva) Stewart
Clinical & Business Operations Manager
Caoimhe is the Clinical & Business Operations Manager at Infection Prevention Services (IPS), bringing a clinical background as a Registered Nurse across the UK and Australia — and an almost unsettling ability to make technology do exactly what she wants.
With experience in Occupational Health, Palliative Care, and Community Nursing, she understands the real challenges faced by healthcare teams. What she may lack in stature she more than makes up for in impact — Caoimhe is the kind of person who walks into a problem, sizes it up, and has three solutions before anyone else has finished reading the brief.
Customers love her. Not just because she delivers — though she always does — but because she genuinely cares about the outcome on the other side. She is passionate about creating seamless learning experiences and empowering organisations with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to strengthen infection prevention practices and improve care outcomes.
Small in size. Mighty in results. Completely irreplaceable.
Caoimhe is the Clinical & Business Operations Manager at Infection Prevention Services (IPS), bringing a clinical background as a Registered Nurse across the UK and Australia — and an almost unsettling ability to make technology do exactly what she wants.
With experience in Occupational Health, Palliative Care, and Community Nursing, she understands the real challenges faced by healthcare teams. What she may lack in stature she more than makes up for in impact — Caoimhe is the kind of person who walks into a problem, sizes it up, and has three solutions before anyone else has finished reading the brief.
Customers love her. Not just because she delivers — though she always does — but because she genuinely cares about the outcome on the other side. She is passionate about creating seamless learning experiences and empowering organisations with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to strengthen infection prevention practices and improve care outcomes.
Small in size. Mighty in results. Completely irreplaceable.
Bridgette Mackie
Clinical Nurse Educator
Bridgette is an experienced New Zealand Registered Nurse, qualified Healthcare Auditor, and Healthcare Educator with a strong background in clinical quality, competency assessment, and infection prevention. She has led large-scale OSCE and CAP training programmes for internationally qualified nurses, developed sector-specific educational resources, and coordinated HealthCERT audit preparation in the surgical sector.
Known for her engaging teaching style and genuine passion for supporting learners, Bridgette excels at making complex topics accessible and relevant. She blends operational leadership with a deep commitment to professional development and safe, effective practice.
Bridgette is an experienced New Zealand Registered Nurse, qualified Healthcare Auditor, and Healthcare Educator with a strong background in clinical quality, competency assessment, and infection prevention. She has led large-scale OSCE and CAP training programmes for internationally qualified nurses, developed sector-specific educational resources, and coordinated HealthCERT audit preparation in the surgical sector.
Known for her engaging teaching style and genuine passion for supporting learners, Bridgette excels at making complex topics accessible and relevant. She blends operational leadership with a deep commitment to professional development and safe, effective practice.