eBulletin October 2007 Edition 29
In this Edition:
Reminders:
| |
Data Due |
Reports posted |
| Type 1 |
2nd November |
14th December |
| Type 2 |
31st October |
14th December |
Type 1 Surveillance Update
User Group - SSI & ICU - via Teleconference
| Time: | Tuesday, 27th November 2007 at 10.00 - 11.00am via phone conference |
| Audience: | All Type 1 participants |
| Discussion: | Need some interesting cases to discuss – please send SSI or ICU |
To assist with preparation for the VUGs please RSVP by Tuesday, 20th November to
vicniss @ mh.org.au.
Haemodialysis Outpatient Surveillance
Further to information provided in the last eBulletin, we anticipate the Haemodialysis Outpatient Event surveillance module to be
available for Quarter 1, 2008. Presently we are reviewing the data fields required for collection and have been in touch with some sites
to discuss this. We will have more information on this module in the
VICNISS Type 1
Surveillance Manual by the end of November.
Changes to Surgical Site Surveillance Procedure Groups
Current procedure group Colon (COLO) will be divided into two groups: Colon (COL) and Rectal (REC). Rectal surgery is higher than
colon surgery in the hierarchy of infection risk.
The group previously known as Mastectomy (MAST) is broadening to include some new procedures and has been renamed Breast Surgery (BRST).
The procedure group “Small Bowel (SB)” will also be available.
These changes will be effective from Quarter 1, 2008. These amendments will be available in the
VICNISS Type 1
Surveillance Manual by the end of November.
Type 1 Surveillance Manual Update
The Type 1 Surveillance Manual is being updated and will include the changes to procedure groups and haemodialysis
outpatient surveillance as mentioned above. We aim to have version 6 available at the end of 2007.
Many thanks to those who completed and returned the Satisfaction Surveys.
The survey is very important for the ongoing evaluation of the VICNISS Coordinating Centre, and planning of future resources.
Overall responses are very positive and mean scores of satisfaction high. Again we acknowledge the comments relating to the size of text
in reports and turn around time of 6 weeks. However we do hope that our regular Reports Workshops address any difficulties in understanding
and interpreting the data. And we are always available to advise on interpretation.
It is interesting to note that the majority of respondents spend more than 8 hours per week on VICNISS surveillance activities.
This hard work is evident in the quality of data submitted. Also interesting, is the interest in expanding VICNISS Surveillance into
staff exposures, vaccination uptake, multi-resistant organism and hospital wide bloodstream infection surveillance.
A Summary of Results
(PDF File 
144 kb, opens in new
window) is available to download.
Type 2 Surveillance Update
Version 10 of the VICNISS Type 2 Surveillance Manual is due to be distributed during November 2007. New protocols outlined in
this Manual are to take effect from 1st January 2008.
Please see details on the Performance Indicators and Surveillance Plans below. If you or your Infection Control Committee require
assistance with your surveillance plan please contact Noleen Bennett 9342 3906.
Performance Indicators
Following discussions with DHS and after consultation with the VICNISS Advisory Committee, the new VICNISS Performance Indicators have
been established. At the request of DHS, the indicators are now in alignment with the financial year [previously they were over the calendar
year].
The new indicators for Type 1 Surveillance
and Type 2 Surveillance are available.
Apart from the change in time frame, other changes include:
Type 1
a) Increase from minimum 9 months of data to 12 months [continuous for CAGS, HRPO, KPRO (>50 per year) and CLABSI]
b) All hospitals doing the above surgery must participate
c) All Hospitals with an ICU must participate in CLABSI
Type 2
a) For the large hospitals, mandatory annual participation in the ABPx module
b) Removal of requirement for 90% of data fields to be completed.
As you will notice, these PI’s are already in effect given they are for the 2007-2008. Obviously due to the lateness of notification, some
hospitals will not be able to meet these Indicators for the financial year. If you are one of the hospitals that is unable to meet the
indicators, please let us know and the reason why [e.g. late notification] and we will pass this information on to DHS.
Inquiries regarding the Performance Indicators to Mr. Clinton Dunkley Senior Program Advisor, Infection Control & Cleaning, Quality and
Safety Branch, Department of Human Services. Ph: 9096 7324. Email: Clinton.Dunkley @ dhs.vic.gov.au
Surveillance Plans
As outlined above in regards to the DHS request that Performance Indicators be in alignment with the financial year, surveillance plans will now
follow and be from July through to June of the next year.
At the moment we have your completed plans to the end of this year. We would like to request that a Surveillance Plan for the first six months of 2008
[January 2008 – June 2008 inclusive] be submitted by 1st December 2007. (NOTE that the amended Surveillance Plan form includes the new
Procedure Groups as described above for Type 1 Surveillance). We have revised the Annual Surveillance Plan for this period for
Type 1 Surveillance
(PDF File 39 kb, opens in new
window) and Type 2 Surveillance
(PDF File 30 kb, opens in new
window).
On 1st June 2008, we will request all surveillance plans for the financial year 2008-09 be submitted. We have revised
the Surveillance Plan form that will be available as part of the revised Surveillane Manuals shortly.
VICPA/VICNISS Journal Club
The next journal club will be on Friday 14th December 2007 at the Western Hospital. Note the start time for this session will
be at 0900. More details will be posted on the VICNISS website closer to the date.
For further enquiries please contact VICPA Education Officer, Louise Wright at
Louise.Wright @ southernhealth.org.au
or Judy Brett at VICNISS.
Staff Movements at VICNISS Coordinating Centre
We welcome Megan Hardwick to the VICNISS Coordinating Centre in an Administrative Support role. Amongst many responsibilities,
Megan will play an integral role in keeping our data management processes on time and ensuring your inquiries are directed to
the appropriate VICNSS staff.
We also welcome back Claire Boardman from maternity leave. Claire and Judy Brett will be sharing the role of Type 1 Infection Control
Consultant over the next few months. Both Claire and Judy will be working half time in this role, with the occasional day working
together to ensure consistency with the Type 1 program.
Infection Control Literature Review, October 2007
Our most recent
literature review, for October, compiled by Dr Leon Worth, ID Physician,
discusses current research on the following selected topics:
- Needle-free Intravascular Devices & Risk for Catheter-related Bloodstream Infection
- Voice Prompts to Enhance Hand Hygiene
