eBulletin March 2004 Edition 8
In this Edition:
Reminders:
Type 1 Hospital Reports
The 4th Quarter, 2003 reports are now available on the website.
May Data Collection from Type 1 Hospitals
The next quarter of data is due to be forwarded to the Coordinating Centre by FRIDAY 7th May 2004.
VICNISS Evening: RSVP to vicniss @ mh.org.au
Software Update
Many thanks to those who have expressed an interest in participating in a focus group to review the developments of software. At
this stage we are continuing to work with the Office of the Chief Clinical Advisor (OCCA) DHS in progressing this issue.
Type 2 Surveillance Update
The Pilot stage in the Barwon South West rural health region is now nearly completed. A report summarising this stage is
to be presented at the next VICNISS Advisory committee meeting. Educational workshops have been scheduled for April in preparation
for the Rollout Stage which is due to commence June 1st 2004 (May 1st 2004 for the Gippsland rural health region).
Type 1 Data Presentation Evening
By
now, all involved in Type 1 surveillance should have received an invitation to attend a special presentation of the first
12 months of VICNISS data. Guest speakers at the presentation include John Youngman, Chair, Healthcare Associated Infection
Advisory Committee and Shane Solomon, Executive Director, Metropolitan Health and Aged Care. We will also use this opportunity
to release the first annual report from the VICNISS Coordinating Centre.
The purpose of the evening is not only to present the latest data but to also acknowledge the hard work and cooperation
of all the infection control consultants and teams in the implementation of VICNISS. We have also extended the invitation
to participating hospital CEO's and Executive Sponsors, relevant committees including VACIC and the VICNISS Advisory Committee,
and other key stakeholders. We hope you will all be able to join us in an interesting and fun night.
Prior to the presentation drinks and supper will be provided. Please RSVP to Kylie via phone: 9342 2605 or via email:
vicniss @ mh.org.au by April 8th 2004.
Surveillance of Procedures where Trauma is Recorded
As part of our quality process we will be asking all participating hospitals to respond to a Satisfaction Survey in the New Year.
The survey is designed to be completed by staff involved in the VICNISS surveillance activities, and will include sections
on communication, reports, surveillance manual, VICNISS website, Infection Control resources required for surveillance and
also a open feedback section. All participants will be able to choose to remain anonymous. Results from the satisfaction
survey will be made available on the VICNISS website and presented at the VICNISS Advisory Committee and will be utilised to
review our own performance and assist in planning future activities.
May Data Collection from Type 1 Hospitals
The next quarter of data is due to be forwarded to the Coordinating Centre by FRIDAY 7th May 2004. A couple of hospitals have
had difficulty in providing data to us on time, subsequently we are unable to provide them with their latest infection
rates for comparison. This also has an effect on the aggregated data. If there are specific reasons why your data is unable
to be forwarded to us by the due date please let us know. Timeliness of data submission is one of the Performance Indicators
for Type 1 hospitals.
Performance Indicators for Type 1 Hospitals
The Performance Indicators for Type 1 Hospitals have been approved by the VICNISS Advisory Committee and DHS. A copy
of the indicators are available on our website from the following link:
Performance Indicators
Commencing from the next Type 1 data reports (1st Quarter 2004) the Quality Report will include information regarding
the Performance Indicators for each hospital.
New VICNISS Website
Shortly you will notice some major changes to the VICNISS website. We are in the process of altering its format to assist
you in the finding the information you seek. We will also be including a section which will contain fact sheets for
consumers, and an area where all aggregated infection rates may be viewed.
Type 1 Surveillance Manual Update April 2004
Please check our website for the new version (V5) of the VICNISS Type 1 manual and forms.
