Late September DHHS sent a message to Health Services CEOs regarding the suspension of mandatory reporting of some routine data to VICNISS, which has now been extended to 31 December 2020. Read more by clicking the link below. Please note that it is essential that your surveillance plan exactly matches the submitted data as this is important for state level reporting.
Read more...Click on the link below to read our infectious diseases physician Dr Lyn-li Lim's latest literature reviews. The first being "Special report on COVID-19 outbreaks in Aged Care Facilities" and the second review on "Victorian Healthcare Worker COVID-19: An update"
Read more...The COVID-19 frontline health workers study explores the important social, occupational and mental health effects experienced by frontline health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. People working in other frontline health areas (such as medical or surgical areas) are also welcome to take part via the survey. You do not need to have worked directly with people with COVID-19 to participate, as the study would like to hear from all frontline health workers.
Read more...In response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Victoria, VICNISS have added information to our Infection Control Toolbox
Read more...For the latest updates and information about the novel coronavirus in Victoria please refer to the DHHS website. As this is a rapidly changing situation please refer to this link for updates regularly.
Read more...The CPE TRA list has recently been updated on 24 August 2020
Read more...Please note the recent release of the "Clinical and related Waste Guidance - Supplement for healthcare staff". You may recall that this topic was covered at last year's Infection Clinical Network forum.
Read more...You are advised to begin considering your VICNISS surveillance plan for the next financial year. The plan must be submitted by 30 June 2020.
Read more...This resource has been developed by VICNISS with the aim to help healthcare workers access relevant and up to date infection control information quickly. In response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak we have added a section of the Toolbox to give the healthcare worker up to date links and current information, federally and state-wide, in both the acute and aged care sectors, regarding COVID-19. Click on the link to take you to the COVID-19 page of the toolbox.
For the latest updates, information and advice about the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Victoria please refer to the Department of Health and Human Services, State Government of Victoria (DHHS) website: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
For links to other Department of Health and Human Services websites and social media channels please click here
Click here for information and advice from the Department of Health and Human Services, State Government of Victoria (DHHS) on how businesses can reduce the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) infections in the workplace, helping to keep both staff and customers safe. This page contains information on reducing risk by implementing hygiene measures and physical distancing advice. Topics covered include:
Many healthcare associated infections are preventable. As a consumer of healthcare, you may wish to know more about how to prevent acquiring an infection during your hospital stay. Consumer facts sheets have been developed to support the messages on healthcare associated infection contained in the NHMRC Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare. These fact sheets aim to inform patients, visitors, families and carers about healthcare associated infection, what activities healthcare facilities have in place to prevent infections and/or to limit the spread of infections.
The current fact sheets can be accessed via the NHMRC website here
Click on the Go to Downloads button to find the brochures for the following:
Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI)
Clostridioides difficile (CDI)
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE)
There is a vast amount of information available on the internet in relation to healthcare associated infections some of which may not be accurate. If you wish to know more regarding infection prevention; contact the Infection Prevention team at your hospital, or you can use the recommended links of reputable websites below.
VICNISS is a partner in the National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship (NCAS). The multiple areas of overlap between antimicrobial stewardship and infection control mean NCAS and VICNISS are working collaboratively on many joint projects.
Some of these include:
Resources such as guidelines, root cause analysis/ audit tools and fact sheets can be found on the following link: https://www.ncas-australia.org/
