The Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee (AIVC) met at TGA, Canberra, on 8th October 2015, to recommend influenza viruses to be used in the composition of the influenza vaccines for 2016. During this meeting, the expert committee reviewed and evaluated data related to epidemiology, antigenic and genetic characteristics of recent influenza isolates circulating in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere, serological responses to 2014-2015 vaccines, and the availability of candidate vaccines viruses and reagents. The committee recommended that the TGA should adopt the September 2015 WHO recommendations: • […]

Resources for Antibiotic Awareness Week (AAW) 2015 are available to download from the Commission website http://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/healthcare-associated-infection/antimicrobial-stewardship/antibiotic-awareness-week/ There is just over one month to go until Antibiotic Awareness Week, which begins on Monday 16 November, 2015. This year is the first time the World Health Organization will endorse World Antibiotic Awareness Week, with the theme “Antibiotics. Handle with Care”.  The Commission campaign for 2015 reflects this global theme, and resources have been developed to assist hospitals plan activities for the week. This […]

This week is International Infection Prevention Week. The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has developed an Infection Prevention and Control Orientation Package for Health Care Workers. This online orientation module is designed to be used by health service organisations (HSO) as part orientation programs for the workforce in infection prevention and control. The module contains three levels that reflect the variation in risk of exposure to blood and body substances that different roles may have and users […]

International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) is right around the corner: October 18-24, 2015. IIPW is an annual awareness campaign to stimulate interest in and highlight the importance of infection prevention. This year’s theme is promoting engagement between patients, visitors, and healthcare professionals around infection prevention. Check out the activities, resources, and materials on the APIC website http://consumers.site.apic.org/      

Hand Hygiene Australia (HHA) has released its new resources for hand hygiene in the Dental/Oral Health setting. The new resources include: Resources for Dental/Oral Health webpage – http://hha.org.au/home/resources-for-dental.aspx 5 Moments for Dental PowerPoint – http://hha.org.au/home/resources-for-dental/dental-education-and-promotion.aspx Guidelines for submission of data – http://hha.org.au/home/resources-for-dental/guidelines-for-dental-facilities.aspx HH Observation Coding Sheet – http://hha.org.au/UserFiles/file/Dental/Dental%20coding%20Classification%20Sheet_Sept2015.pdf Future resources: – Dental Online Learning Program (estimated early 2016) – Other as identified and requested by dental facilities Please note that the hand hygiene auditing resources have been developed to support facilities that elect to conduct […]

The 2015 Conference Earlybird Registration is closing October 9. For further information on the program, speakers, registration and accommodation see the conference website http://www.acipcconference.com.au/

The 2014 report of the National Antimicrobial Utilisation Surveillance Program  has been released by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission). The NAUSP is a passive surveillance system measuring rates of antimicrobial usage in hospital settings. The 2014 NAUSP report provides the results of data from 129 participating acute care hospitals (111 public and 18 private) ranging from principal referral hospitals to small public acute hospitals across Australia.  For Australian public hospital beds, this represents more […]

Public consultation on the draft version 2 of the NSQHS Standards is now open and feedback can be provided until 30th October 2015.  The Commission wants to hear from anyone involved in healthcare during this consultation period, including consumers, health professionals, health service managers, health departments, technical experts and accrediting agencies. The consultation draft version 2 of the NSQHS Standards can be accessed at:  http://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/accreditation-and-the-nsqhs-standards/current-consultations/  

Virus Watch Week Ending 6 September 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Most direct and indirect indicators of influenza activity declined this week, suggesting we have passed the peak of the influenza season. ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) and emergency departments (EDs) decreased this week and are consistent with presentations rates during recent mild influenza seasons. Influenza virus detections, notifications and percent positivity decreased this week. The decline in overall influenza detections was almost entirely due to […]

Virus WAtch Week Ending 30 August 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Indicators of influenza activity remained stable or declined this week, further indicating we may have reached the peak of the influenza season. Non-influenza respiratory virus activity continues to decline. ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) and emergency departments (EDs) remain relatively stable and within ranges seen in recent mild influenza seasons. Influenza virus detections, notifications and percent positivity decreased this week. Influenza B virus (62% of […]