Surgical site infection (SSI) is a major complication following surgery and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, as well as increased costs. The function of operating room (OR) ventilation is to prevent airborne microbial contaminants from entering surgical wounds. Under normal circumstances, the main source of airborne microbial contamination is microscopic skin fragments, contaminated with bacteria, shed by healthcare workers (HCWs) in the OR. Another potential source of airborne microorganisms are air supplies that are not properly filtered. The […]

Virus WAtch Week Ending 21 June 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Overall non-influenza respiratory virus activity continues to increase sharply, with a large contribution from respiratory syncytial virus. Indicators of influenza virus remain variable, but activity appears to be increasing slowly, dominated by influenza B virus. ILI presentations to sentinel emergency departments (EDs) and sentinel general practitioners (GPs) increased a little this week, but remain in the lower margins of what has been observed in recent years. Influenza […]

The Commission has developed a draft guide to assist community health services with implementing the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. The draft guide describes the intent of the NSQHS Standards and suggests strategies to meet the criteria in the context of community health care. It also includes examples of evidence that community health services can use to demonstrate they are meeting the NSQHS Standards. The Commission is currently seeking feedback on the draft guide. Submissions are requested in […]

The draft enHealth “Guidelines for Legionella Control in the Operation and Maintenance of Drinking Water Distribution Systems in Health and Aged Care Facilities” are now complete and have been published for stakeholder review and input. Consultation closes on 31 July 2015. The attached letter from the Chair of enHealth explains the Guidelines’. Origins and details of the consultation process including how feedback can be provided via an online form. It also provides the link  to the consultation package that is […]

Virus WAtch Week Ending 14 June 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Respiratory syncytial virus detections continue to increase. Indicators of influenza virus activity remain variable. ILI presentations and admissions to sentinel emergency departments (EDs) decreased this week, whereas ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) increased. Influenza virus detections and notifications are relatively steady, with influenza B (71%) and influenza A/H3N2 (26%) viruses dominating detections. Overall non-influenza respiratory virus detections decreased marginally, but respiratory syncytial virus activity continues […]

Virus WAtch Week Ending 7 June 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Non-influenza respiratory virus detections, particularly respiratory syncytial virus, continue to increase. Indicators of influenza virus activity are variable, and while no upward trend is clearly apparent, we may be nearing the beginning of the influenza season. ILI presentations and admissions to sentinel emergency departments (EDs) increased this week, whereas ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) decreased and remain low. Influenza virus detections are relatively steady, with […]

Since May 2015, the Republic of Korea has been investigating an outbreak of MERS. It is the largest known outbreak of MERS outside the Arabian Peninsula.  The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to closely monitor the MERS situation globally and work with partners to better understand the risks of this virus, including the source, how it spreads, and how infections might be prevented. You can stay up-to-date on the situation by visiting the MERS home page: http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/mers/index.html The CDC […]

Virus WAtch Week Ending 31 May 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Indicators of influenza-like activity increased this week, but influenza virus detections remain steady, and increases in non-influenza virus activity, particularly RSV, appear to be responsible. Influenza B virus dominates influenza activity at present. ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) and sentinel emergency departments (EDs) increased this week. Influenza virus detections and hospitalisations for influenza remain relatively steady. Influenza B constituted the majority of influenza viruses subtyped […]

The Australian Government has released the first National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy to guide the response to the threat of antibiotic misuse and resistance. The strategy was developed in partnership with industry and government, and will guide action by governments, health professionals, veterinarians, farmers and communities to reduce the emergence of resistant bacteria. The report is available at http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ohp-amr.htm

Virus WAtch Week Ending 24 May 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Some indicators of influenza activity increased slightly this week, but the influenza season has not clearly commenced. Influenza B virus continues to be predominant, and RSV activity is increasing. ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) increased this week but ILI presentations to sentinel Emergency Departments (EDs) remained steady. Influenza B constituted the majority of influenza viruses subtyped this week; influenza A/H3N2 and, to a lesser extent, […]