The WA Department of Health Director of Communicable Disease Control Directorate, Paul Armstrong has issued a measles alert for the Perth metropolitan and South West regions. As of 31 March, 10 cases of measles have been confirmed in WA.  There have been increasing measles outbreaks globally. Cases of measles in returned overseas travellers have increased across Australia, particularly among those returning from South and Southeast Asian countries. WA Health advises to: Be alert for measles in any individual with fever […]

WA Health has published a Measles Alert for Clinicians today. There have been increasing measles outbreaks globally. Cases of measles in returned overseas travellers have increased across Australia, particularly among those returning from South and Southeast Asian countries. Six cases of measles have been confirmed in WA this year, with five cases notified within the last week. Four of these cases acquired their infection in WA. The Department is advising clinicians to: Be alert for measles in any patient with […]

The 2025 WA Influenza Immunisation program has commenced today. Key messages from WA Health: Annual vaccination is the most important way to prevent influenza and its complications. Influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged ≥6 months. All vaccinations must be recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). The ‘vaccine type’ field should be used to record specific details of the vaccine administered, e.g., National Immunisation Program (NIP) or state funded. If a person had a 2024 formulation influenza vaccine […]

The Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC) has released a new position statement titled “Terminology for pathogens that transmit through the air”. ACIPC’s position statement recommends terminology for pathogens that transmit through the air to be standardised as follows: ✅ Introduction of the term “infectious respiratory particles” (IRPs) to describe respiratory particles containing pathogens that travel through the air. ✅ Recognition of the spectrum of IRP particle sizes and moving away from using aerosols and droplets to define […]

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 […]