The Commission started a review of the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards in late 2014, to identify improvements to, and address gaps in, version 1 of the NSQHS Standards. Pilot and consultation processes for the draft version 2 of the NSQHS Standards were conducted in 2015. Version 2 of the NSQHS Standards has been refined based on feedback from these processes. New topics in version 2 will include: mental health; cognitive impairment; end-of-life care; nutrition and hydration; […]

Action 3.16.1 of the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards states: “Compliance with relevant national or international standards and manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation of reusable instruments and devices is regularly monitored”. The Australian Standard AS/NZS 4187 is the national standard most commonly used to meet the requirements in Action 3.16.1. AS/NZS 4187:2014 replaces AS/NZS 4187:2003 and becomes operational in December 2016. Standards Australia has withdrawn AS/NZS 4187:2003. The Commission is seeking expert advice on implementation […]

The 2016 Aged Care National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey this year is to take place between Monday June 27th and Wednesday August 31st. All Australian residential aged care facilities and multipurpose health services are strongly encouraged to participate. If you have not already registered for NAPS, click onto ‘Register’ (right hand upper corner) on the NAPS website. For your information too, the 2015 public acNAPS pilot report can be accessed via this website.

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has launched the first comprehensive report on antimicrobial resistance, antimicrobial use and appropriateness of prescribing in Australia, to date. AURA 2016: First Australian report on antimicrobial use and resistance in human health contains data on antimicrobial use in the community, hospitals and residential aged care facilities; key emerging issues for antimicrobial resistance; and a comparison of Australia’s situation with other countries. AURA 2016 highlights antimicrobial use and resistance as a critical […]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is collaborating in a coordinated public health response to the Department of Defense (DoD) announcement on May 26 of the first mcr-1 gene found in bacteria from a human in the United States (http://mcr-1 Gene in E. coli Bacteria). Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria carrying the mcr-1 gene were found in a urine sample from a person in Pennsylvania with no recent travel outside of the United States who presented to a clinic with […]

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has released the attached Advisory No: A16/03: Reprocessing of reusable medical devices in health service organisations which may have implications for your healthcare facility. Advisory A16/03 describes the minimum requirements for health service organisation compliance with Action 3.16.1 of the NSQHS Standards following the introduction of AS/NZS 4187:2014. Action 3.16.1 of the NSQHS Standards states “Compliance with relevant national or international standards and manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation […]

The theme for this year’s International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) is “Breaking the Chain of Infection” so mark your calendars for 16 to 22 October 2016. IIPW is an annual awareness campaign to stimulate interest in and highlight the importance of infection prevention. A number of exciting activities and resources are being planned around the 2016 IIPW theme so stay tuned for details on how you can get involved in IIPW.

Included in this TGA Medical Devices Safety Update: TGA urges reporting of contamination after reprocessing of endoscopes Non-tuberculous mycobacterium infections associated with heater-cooler devices https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/medical-devices-safety-update-volume-4-number-3-may-2016.pdf

In view of the global concern over the outbreak of the Zika virus, both Elsevier and The Lancet have created a Zika Virus Resource Center on Elsevier Connect with the latest updates, research, reviews, editorials, correspondence and commentary to help healthcare professionals, medical researchers and the public understand the outbreak. Both info centers are advised by clinicians and professional editors and will be updated with the most current research and evidence-based information available.

The World Health Organization has released a global health alert regarding Zika Virus. Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director General, has advised that Zika Virus is a serious global health concern and with highly likely global spread. Moreover, particular concerns have been raised regarding the maternal-fetal effects of the virus. The Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC) President Professor Ramon Shaban reports that “While the current evidence indicates that the vast majority of patients infected with Zika Virus are asymptomatic, […]