The Department of Health and Aged Care recently published an Aged Care Alert advising that while COVID-19 and influenza cases are rising in residential aged care homes, vaccination rates are low, reminding aged care providers of their responsibility for making vaccines easily available to residents. The Australian Government published the aged care residents’ COVID-19 vaccination rates, by aged care home on Monday 17 June. It is anticipated publication of the COVID-19 vaccination rates will help aged care residents, their families […]

The latest version 2 (June 2024) of the CDNA National Outbreak Management Guideline for Acute Respiratory Infection (including COVID-19, influenza and RSV) in Residential Aged Care Homes has been published. Available at https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-guidelines-for-the-prevention-control-and-public-health-management-of-outbreaks-of-acute-respiratory-infection-in-residential-care-facilities?language=en These guidelines are provided to assist residential aged care homes by providing best practice information for the prevention and management of outbreaks of acute respiratory infection (including COVID-19, influenza and RSV). These guidelines were developed to create a single unified guidance to support a risk-based approach for […]

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has released the 2023 CARAlert annual report, which provides analyses of data submitted to the National Alert System for Critical Antimicrobial Resistances (CARAlert). CARAlert collects information on priority organisms that are uncommon in Australia but have critical resistance to last-line antimicrobials (CARs). The report shows seasonal and geographic trends in CARs across acute and community settings as reported by laboratories that voluntarily participate in CARAlert. Key findings include: There was […]

From today, the National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Healthcare Standards (Primary and Community Healthcare Standards) will become the benchmark for accreditation assessments for private dental practices. A range of resources are available on the Commission’s website to support practices to prepare for accreditation to the Primary and Community Healthcare Standards, including: Fact sheets and advisories Mapping of the Primary and Community Healthcare Standards to the NSQHS Standards first edition Information on the accreditation process. A suite of useful […]

World Hand Hygiene Day aims to maintain global promotion, visibility and sustainability of hand hygiene in health care and to bring people together in support of hand hygiene improvement around the world. On World Hand Hygiene Day the World Health Organization (WHO) encourages health and aged care workers to build and share their knowledge about hand hygiene and infection prevention and control.  Everyone can contribute by supporting implementation of the National Hand Hygiene Initiative in Australian health and aged care services. The […]

Following consultation with public health agencies and experts, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a global technical consultation report introducing updated terminology for pathogens that transmit through the air. The pathogens covered include those that cause respiratory infections such as COVID-19, influenza, measles, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and tuberculosis, among others. Read more https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/who-announces-updated-terminology-for-pathogens-that-transmit-through-the-air/

To support implementation of the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has developed the Aged Care Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Guide. The Aged Care IPC Guide is informed by the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare, with content and key principles adapted for residential and community aged care settings. The Aged Care IPC Guide will support aged care provider organisations, aged care IPC leads and […]

The Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC) has released a statement of targeted recommendations to help better protect vital healthcare workers, essential service providers, and the public from influenza infection. Read more here Seasonal influenza vaccination statement – ACIPC – Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control

The first Respiratory Syncytial Virus(RSV) vaccine Arexvy is now available in Australia. Arexvy (recombinant respiratory syncytial virus pre-fusion F protein) was approved for the following therapeutic use: Arexvy is indicated for active immunisation of individuals 60 years and older for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).  The use of this vaccine should be in accordance with official recommendations.   AREXVY will be available from Melbourne and Perth warehouses from the 28th of February.

Changes to the shingles vaccine available under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) came into effect from 1 November 2023. The shingles vaccine Shingrix has replaced Zostavax on the NIP. A 2-dose course of Shingrix will be available free for: People aged 65 years and older First Nations people aged 50 years and older Immunocompromised people aged 18 years and older with the following medical conditions: Haemopoietic stem cell transplant Solid organ transplant Haematological malignancy Advanced or untreated human immunodeficiency virus […]