Victorian public and private hospitals performing surveillance for healthcare-associated infections and relevant processes are reminded that from July 2021, VICNISS Surgical Antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) reporting will apply updated compliance definitions on the following....
Read more...In preparation for the update of the VICNISS manual, coming into effect as of July 1 2021, we are in the process of replacing documents in each VICNISS surveillance module. To assist in informing you of updates coming into effect VICNISS have been, and will continue to, host a series of webinars.
Read more...The IPC Lead webinar series has now concluded. If you missed any or would like to go back and re-watch one or more of the webinars, recordings are available along with the PowerPoint presentations. To continue support for all Victorian Aged Care IPC Leads monthly online forums will be held commencing 28th April 2021...
Read more...The CPE TRA list has recently been updated on June 9 2021
Read more...The Department of Health (DH), in their regular communication to CEOs, has advised the following: "It is no longer mandatory for Victorian facilities to facilitate asymptomatic testing, nor are there specific targets on the frequency of testing"
Read more...All Victorian Public Sector Residential Aged Care Services (PSRACS) are required to participate in the Resident Vaccination Modules: Herpes zoster, Influenza and Pneumococcal. Data is to be collected during May and submitted by June 1st. To assist in collecting this data VICNISS held a webinar on Monday 26th April.
Read more...Click on the link below for the latest review from infectious diseases physician Dr Lyn-li Lim. This month's review: "Management of Peripheral Intravenous Catheters Clinical Care Standard" and "Vaccine breakthrough infections with SARS-CoV-2 variants"
Read more...In preparation for the 2021 HCW Influenza Vaccination Program VICNISS conducted a webinar.
Read more...A cornerstone of Infection Control, so no wonder we have lots to update you on in the Hand Hygiene space: 5th May is World hand Hygiene Day; Tips to assist learners with login issues to Learning Management System (online hand hygiene training modules); Gold Stand Auditor Training Resources Hand Hygiene Compliance Application (HHCApp); Inclusion of Hand Hygiene Audit Data from Residential Aged Care Facilities in National Dataset. Read on for more information...
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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/
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.
