The content of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care’s Antimicrobial Stewardship in Australian Health Care book continues to grow, with the latest chapter dealing with AMS and community and residential aged care. Key elements include: Aged care services in Australia and infectious diseases and ageing Presentation of infections in older people Antimicrobial use and aged care services including specific areas of concern such as topical antimicrobial usage, asymptomatic bacteriuria and viral infections. Antimicrobial stewardship program strategies […]

On 10 June 2021 the Australian government published new guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers in the context of COVID-19. The National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce has now published its full set of consensus guidance on the use of P2/N95 respirators, surgical masks and eye protection. You can view it on the online guideline platform MAGICapp. https://app.magicapp.org/#/guideline/4826 The guidance has been developed using a ‘living evidence’ approach which allows the Taskforce to regularly update guidance as […]

The 2021 ACIPC International Conference will be delivered as a hybrid event with both in-person and online attendance options. The in-person conference will take place at the Adelaide Convention Centre, 7 – 10 November and will include national and international invited speakers, abstract presentations, social events, and a comprehensive trade exhibition. To help facilitate the participation of international colleagues and those unable to travel to Adelaide, it is anticipated all conference invited speakers and free paper sessions will be live […]

The 2021 Preventing and Controlling Infections Standard supersedes the 2017 Preventing and Controlling Healthcare-Associated Infection Standard. The new standard provides further support to health service organisations to prevent, control and respond to infections that cause outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics, including novel and emerging infections. The changes made to the standard clarify existing requirements and reflect the lessons from the response to COVID-19. A factsheet shows the differences between the new standard and the previous standard. Whilst retaining a focus on patient safety, […]

Mandatory reporting starts today, 15 June 2021, for all approved providers of residential aged care services to report and provide weekly updates every Tuesday on the COVID-19 vaccination status of their aged care workforce. Starting today, 15 June 2021, all approved providers of residential aged care services must report every Tuesday. It will become mandatory for providers of in-home and community aged care services in the coming weeks. Reporting is via the My Aged Care portal for providers. The new […]

The Management of Peripheral Intravenous Catheters Clinical Care Standard was launched on Wednesday 26th of May, 2021. The new standard was developed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care in consultation with consumers and healthcare professionals. This is very timely following the recent publication of the HISWA Aggregate Report for the January – March 2021 quarter which reported concerns about the increase in Healthcare Associated Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Infections (HA-SABSI) for the second consecutive quarter and the highest […]

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has granted provisional approval to AstraZeneca Pty Ltd for its COVID-19 vaccine. The Product Information, FAQs and information on labelling and batch testing are also available on the COVID-19 vaccines hub. Information on COVID-19 vaccines and the priority rollout to aged care providers, workers and residents is available here. Further information on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is also available on the Department of Health website.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has granted provisional approval to Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd for its COVID-19 vaccine. The Product Information, FAQs and information on labelling and batch testing are also available on the COVID-19 vaccines hub. Further information on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is available on the Department of Health website

As of 29 January 2020, ‘Human coronavirus with pandemic potential’ has been declared an urgently notifiable disease under Part 9 of the Public Health Act 2016. It was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation on 11 March 2020. Any person who meets the following criteria are required to isolate themselves at home for 14 days from the date of travel or close contact. Criteria: Overseas or interstate travel in the past 14 days OR Close or casual contact […]

Aged care homes are important settings to better understand both antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial use. Reports to date indicate that high levels of inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing and use occur in these settings, providing opportunities for improved antimicrobial prescribing. The 2018 report has recently been published and can be accessed at https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/antimicrobial-resistance/antimicrobial-use-and-resistance-australia-surveillance-system-aura/antimicrobial-prescribing-australian-residential-aged-care