RESIDENT MEDICAL OFFICERS' UNIT

The Infection Control Service, is staffed by the coordinating Infection Control Officer, the Infection Control Nurse for Christchurch Hospital and the Microbiologist. Part-time Infection Control Nurses are employed at Burwood and Ashburton Hospitals, both hospitals of Canterbury DHB.

The Service also provides Infection Control for Hillmorton Site (formerly Sunnyside Hospital), which employs an Infection Control Nurse on site.

The service organizes regular meetings of the Infection Control Committee, which is a multi-disciplinary committee, representing the different clinical services.

All protocols and guidelines are prepared by the Infection Control Operational Group. These are then presented to and approved by the Infection Control Committee.

The Infection Control Service and Microbiology Department medical staff provide the consultation service for the needlestick and body fluid exposure infection prevention programme.

Please note that ALL new RMO staff require MRSA clearance before commencement.

The Infectious Diseases Service at Christchurch Hospital offers both inpatient and outpatient services. The major areas covered by this service are HIV/AIDS, tropical medicine, advice on antibiotics and treatment of other infections involving any system. This includes skin, soft tissue, abdominal, CNS, cardiovascular, prosthetic device infections, respiratory etc. We also have an interest in problems such as chronic staphylococcal disease, herpes simplex and difficult to treat cellulitis. We are currently developing a home intravenous antibiotic therapy service in conjunction with Nurse Maude District Nursing Service.

Current services are:

Telephone consultations through the Consultant or Registrar in Infectious Diseases.
Consultations within the hospital for other services.
Outpatient appointments.
Inpatient services for any patient with acute or chronic infection.

For more information please contact

Dr Steve Chambers, telephone (64 3) 3640 640 extension 80954 or beep 394
email: steve.chambers@cdhb.govt.nz

or the Infectious Diseases Registrar, (64 3) 3640 640 beep 8178
Departmental Fax: (64 3) 364 0952