Infectious Diseases

The Infectious Diseases Clinical Service provides a specialised & comprehensive service to the RAH and the state of SA.

This includes:

• clinical services (inpatient care/cross consultation/outpatient clinics/outpatient antibiotics)
• infection prevention and control
• antibiotic stewardship
• education and training
• HIV support services to other SA Government services.

Areas of interest include:

• HIV and viral hepatitis
• Infections in the compromised host
• Infections in ICU
• Infections following orthopaedic surgery
• Tropical infections

The multidisciplinary team of health care professionals is dedicated to providing the highest quality of medical, allied health and nursing care.

People are often concerned about the issues of confidentiality and their privacy when an infectious disease is the diagnosis. Our staff are trained to respect a patient's rights and to maintain confidentiality and privacy at all times.

Unit Secretary Doreen Dunn (08) 8222 5340

Inpatient Services

The Infectious Diseases Unit provides inpatient care for patients suffering from infections. A consultative service is provided to all units in the hospital.

Infectious Diseases Clinics

Clinic appointments can be made to see our Infectious Diseases physicians and consultants on Level 8 of the Outpatient Building. All patients must be referred by a medical practitioner.

Level 8 Clinics
Appointments can be made on (08) 8222 2954 or fax 82224034 for public patients or for private referrals.  Private referrals are required to satisfy Medicare Australia guidelines.

Off-site Clinics
Drs Shaw and Ritchie also run private clinics at 344 South Terrace, Adelaide (08)82320711

Infectious Diseases Physicians

Head of Unit

• Dr David Shaw

Staff Specialists

• Dr Karen Rowland
• Dr Jennifer Catford
• Dr Brett Ritchie
• Prof Justin La Brooy
• Dr Narin Bak

Consultants

• Dr Geoff Higgins
• Dr Russell Waddell
• Dr George Nisyrios
• Dr Charlotte Bell
• Dr Morgyn Warner

Infectious Diseases Liason Psychiatrist

• Dr Andrew Beckwith

Infectious Diseases Registrars

• 2 Registrar positions

Collaborative areas of interest with:

• IMVS Virology - Clinical application of HIV and HCV Molecular Virology
• Psychiatry - HIV Psychiatry Liaison: Dr Andrew Beckwith
• Viral Hepatitis Centre-a collaboration with RAH Hepatology
• Sexual Health Physicians – Clinic 275

Patient Information Leaflets:

• What is HIV?
• What is AIDS?
• HIV Treatments. What if I have a problem?
• HIV Treatments. How can I do it better?

Antibiotic Treatment Centre

Situated on L9 of the Outpatient Building, the ATC provides a variety of treatments for clients with infections and infectious diseases, including those with HIV and viral hepatitis.

Outpatient intravenous antibiotic and antiviral treatments for a variety of infections which otherwise would require hospitalisation can be administered in a comfortable, private setting.

Referral can be made to Infectious Diseases Medical Staff by RAH staff, primary care practitioners or other medical practitioners.

For further information and appointments please contact the clinical nurse on (08) 8222 5817 or (08) 8222 4000 and page.

HIV Liaison Officer

The HIV Liaison Officer has a broad role including:

• Liaise with agencies in the HIV sector.
• Education about treatment, care and support issues.
• Support and coordination for clients of treatment, appointments and ongoing care issues for clients.
• Inpatient and outpatient liaison including discharge planning.
• Resource and referral point for medical practitioners, health professionals and clients.
• Rural and remote liaison.
• Consultancy, education and support to the community and other institutions.

The HIV Liaison Officer can be contacted on (08) 8222 5816.

For further information on HIV/AIDS

www.aegis.com
www.napwa.org

South Australian contacts.

Trials Coordination

The Infectious Diseases Unit is the principle tertiary referral centre for HIV management and is a site for national HIV trials coordinated by the National Centre for HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research.

The Infectious Diseases Unit also undertakes clinical trials in Hepatitis B, C, vaccine and antimicrobial therapy.

For further information contact Infectious Diseases Clinical Practice Consultant on (08) 8222 5635