Deeble Institute for Health Policy Research Issues Brief no: 52 Saha SK, Haddock R Canberra: Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association; 2023. p. 45. https://ahha.asn.au/publication/health-policy-issue-briefs/deeble-issues-brief-no-52-optimising-antimicrobial This issues brief from the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association’s Deeble Institute examines antimicrobial stewardship in primary care. Observing that ‘80% of antibiotics are consumed within primary care’, the notes argue that ‘concept of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in primary care will play an important role in improving the appropriate use of antibiotics and reducing the risk […]

The National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Healthcare Standards have actions relating to antimicrobial stewardship. To support these the Commission has developed factsheets for General Practice Community Pharmacy Dental Practice Allied Health including Optometry and Podiatry Community Health services Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services The factsheets have practical examples of how these services can promote antimicrobial stewardship and meet the standards. https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/antimicrobial-stewardship/antimicrobial-stewardship-primary-care

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has recently released their new hand hygiene eLearning modules. Hand hygiene for clinical healthcare workers Hand hygiene for non-clinical healthcare workers. The new modules are designed to support the ongoing education of clinical and non-clinical staff in maintaining a safe and hygienic healthcare environment. They are available on the National Hand Hygiene Initiative (NHHI) Learning Management System (LMS). The two new modules replace the current suite of clinical discipline specific […]

The Immunisation Action Week (IAW) is a national awareness program focused on highlighting the importance of vaccination, especially in a pandemic world. All information provided is based on current scientific evidence. The week occurs in April of each year to coincide and reaches a pinnacle with a national, free Influenza Vaccination Day on Friday (28th). Following the success of previous years’ the Influenza Vaccination Day has been expanded to include Brisbane, coinciding with the Melbourne and Sydney events. You can […]

A National COVID-19 Community Protection Framework has been developed and outlines response measures that can be scaled-up should the epidemiological situation change. This Framework has been endorsed by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee and aims to provide greater certainty to the general community, business and people at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness.

Results of a new study concerning manual cleaning of reusable medical instruments published in the American Journal of Infection Control demonstrates exposure to staff and surrounding environment to potentially contaminated fluids. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-10-manual-medical-instruments-exposes-staff.html

Today is world sepsis day, an opportunity to unite globally in the fight against sepsis. The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care is undertaking a program of work to improve early recognition, treatment, outcomes and post-discharge support for people at risk of or diagnosed with sepsis in Australia. Further information on the program is available at https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/national-sepsis-program The National Sepsis Awareness Campaign supports healthcare professionals to identify sepsis and act quickly to provide life-saving treatment. Download the […]

ATAGI recommends a winter COVID-19 booster dose for people at increased risk of severe COVID-19. The additional winter booster is recommended for other people at increased risk, to be given 4 months after their first booster dose or COVID-19 infection (if applicable). adults aged 65 years and older residents 16 years and older of aged care or disability care facilities Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 50 years and older people aged 16 years and older with a medical […]

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has granted provisional approval to Biocelect Pty Ltd (on behalf of Novavax Inc) for its COVID-19 vaccine, NUVAXOVID for primary vaccination in individuals 18 years of age and older. This is the first protein COVID-19 vaccine to receive regulatory approval in Australia. It is recommended that the vaccine is given in 2 doses administered 3 weeks apart. It is provisionally approved for primary vaccination only at this stage. The full TGA media release is available […]

The TGA has announced it has provisionally approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose in individuals aged 18 years and over. The vaccine may be administered 6 months after the second dose of the primary series of any approved COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, it can be given as a booster dose 28 days after the second dose of the primary series in severely immunocompromised individuals aged 12 years and over.  Read the media release here.