The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) has a developed a gap analysis tool to help health service organisations (HSO) in assessing compliance with the Australian Standard AS 5369:2023 Reprocessing of Reusable Medical Devices and Other Devices in Health and Non-Health Related Facilities. This tool should be used by stakeholders within a health service organisation that use, reprocess or have oversight of reusable medical devices. The tool is not suitable for risk assessing the reprocessing of […]

Feedback is being sought from the general practice sector on potential changes to the accreditation cycle and assessment of general practices. Changes to the National General Practice Accreditation (NGPA) Scheme are being considered to support general practices in providing consistently safe and high-quality care and meeting the Standards on a day-to-day basis. Your views are important in shaping any changes to the NGPA Scheme. The consultation is open until Friday 4 April 2025. Public consultation on potential changes to the accreditation of […]

If your Health Service Organisation (e.g. office-based practices, day hospitals, hospitals) is accredited to the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards or Primary and Community Healthcare Standards, the Commission recently published AS24/01 and PCH24/01 (11 November 2024).  This Advisory describes the minimum compliance requirements within Action 3.17 or Action 3.13 for health service organisations that reprocess reusable medical devices (RMDs).  It is mandatory for approved accrediting agencies to implement this Advisory.  This advisory replaces advisory AS18/07 which has been […]

The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care has released its final report on the Evaluation of the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Nurse Lead role in Residential Aged Care Homes. The review focuses on four key areas: 1. Implementation of the IPC role and provision of guidance 2. Appropriateness of the role in the sector, including perceptions and experiences 3. Support for the role from governing bodies (including funding) and providers 4. Impact of the role within residential […]

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