Professor Mary-Louise McLaws

Dr McLaws has expertise in infection prevention and control (IPC) in healthcare associated infection (HAI) and patient safety related to HAI and associated with COVID in Australia. I performed the seminal national study of HAI in public and private hospitals. From this I was appointed by the government to develop the first state-wide standardized surveillance system for HAI. I have worked for 12 years with the Clinical Excellence Commission as honorary epidemiologist to reduce hand hygiene, CLABSI, MROs, surveillance, preparation for the next pandemic and COVID IPC.  I capacity build IPC through my research students and through research with low- and middle-income countries that has included Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey and Vietnam. I reviewed IPC practices in the SARS designated hospital in Hong Kong and Beijing response in 2003, I supported Australia’s preparation for pandemic influenza, and mentored an IPC officer during Ebola.  I have been a short mission WHO Advisor to China and Malaysia for the development of their IPC surveillance system, worked as a consultant for WPRO on HAI and appointed the focal point for GOARN.