World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week (WAAW) https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/antimicrobial-stewardship/world-amr-awareness-week World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week (WAAW) is a global campaign held annually from 18 to 24 November to raise awareness of AMR and encourage best practice among the public, One Health stakeholders and policy makers. The World Health Organization identifies AMR among the top 10 global health threats and Australia has developed a National AMR Strategy to address this issue at a national level. The theme for 2024 is ‘Educate. Advocate. […]

IPC Week is celebrated each October and aims to shine a light on infection prevention and control, and the crucial role IPC professionals play in keeping the public safe and healthy. This year’s theme is ‘Moving the Needle on Infection Prevention,’ and throughout IPC Week the Australasian College of Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC) will be focussing on professional development, healthcare worker safety, patient safety, public health preparedness, and looking at IPC in all settings. ACIPC has some great resources […]

A new Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) statement declares that Australia is transitioning from using quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) to trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) formulations for influenza immunisation in our population. Read more https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/atagi-statement-on-the-transition-from-quadrivalent-to-trivalent-seasonal-influenza-vaccines-in-australia?language=en

ACIPC has announced that the program for this year’s conference is now available. E Program Highlights: Keynote Speakers: Gain insights from industry leaders, including Bronwyn King, Heather Gilmartin, Michael Borg, Francette Geraghty-Dusan, and Glenn Browning Sessions: Participate in the invited speaker sessions, free paper oral presentations, and lightning talks on topics essential to the profession and the future of IPC. Networking: Engage with peers and experts in a collaborative environment. Pre-Conference Workshops: Develop practical skills through focused, hands-on sessions. View […]

New report finds older Australians given more antimicrobials than wider community.  While overall, Australians are using antimicrobials less than before, there is evidence that these medicines are being prescribed at higher rates for people aged over 65, and even higher rates for people living in residential aged care homes (RACH). Antimicrobials include all antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitic agents which are used to treat and prevent infections caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. These important findings are […]

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has released two implementation guides for health service organisations that are transitioning to AS 5369:2023 from either of the two standards that the new standard supersedes. Transitioning from AS/NZS 4187:2014 to AS 5369:2023 Transitioning from AS/NZS 4815:2006 to AS 5369:2023

The Commission has released the National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Healthcare Standards Guide for Healthcare Services (the Guide). The Guide provides practical support for healthcare services to implement the Primary and Community Healthcare Standards. The Commission consulted widely with healthcare services, consumers, professional and peak bodies and Primary Health Networks in developing these resources. Download the Guide at https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/publications-and-resources/resource-library/nsqpch-standards-guide-healthcare-services

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) has released the Aged Care Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Guide.  It is intended to support aged care organisations to meet the infection prevention and control (IPC) actions of the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards and to minimise the risk of infection for older people and the workforce. The Guide is informed by the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare with content and key principles […]

This report presents the findings from the annual Aged Care National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey (NAPS). It analyses resident infection and antimicrobial use data reported by Australian aged facilities that participated in the survey. AC NAPS continues to play a pivotal role in Australian residential aged care facilities (RACFs) as part of their infection prevention and control (IPC) and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs. A total of 743 RACFs participated in the 2022 survey, an increased number from 2021 (n=690).  All provider […]

The Department of Health and Aged Care recently published an Aged Care Alert advising that while COVID-19 and influenza cases are rising in residential aged care homes, vaccination rates are low, reminding aged care providers of their responsibility for making vaccines easily available to residents. The Australian Government published the aged care residents’ COVID-19 vaccination rates, by aged care home on Monday 17 June. It is anticipated publication of the COVID-19 vaccination rates will help aged care residents, their families […]