Aged Care Infection Control Toolbox
This toolbox is a set of themed links accessible from a single site which aims to help the aged care worker access relevant infection prevention and control information quickly.
The information is compartmentalised for easy access.
Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS)VICNISS fact Sheets for Aged Care Homes
Aged Care Quality Standards: Standard 3 requirement (3) (g)
Minimisation of infection-related risks through implementing: standard and transmission-based precautions to prevent and control infection, practices to promote appropriate antibiotic prescribing and use to support optimal care and reduce the risk of increasing resistance to antibiotics.
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Aged Care Quality Standards
Organisations providing Commonwealth subsidised aged care services are required to comply with the
Aged Care Quality Standards (Quality Standards). The Quality Standards focus on outcomes for consumers and reflect the level of care and services the community can expect from organisations that provide Commonwealth subsidised aged care services.
The
Multi-Purpose Services Aged Care Module describes, in six actions, the requirements of the Aged Care Quality Standards not covered by the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards.
Subscribe to the Aged Care Quality Bulletin newsletter
here
Urinary Tract Infection in Aged Care
AMS clinical resources for aged care clinicians (nurses, personal care attendants and GPs):
- When to test urine
- Clinical pathway for UTIs
- Using antibiotics well
- Webinars for aged care clinicians
Clinical pathway for urinary tract infections (training video)
AJGP published article “Improving management of urinary tract infections in residential aged care facilities”, (co-authored By VICNISS' ID physician Dr Lyn-li Lim and Senior Infection Control Consultant, Associate Professor Noleen Bennett) focusing on the importance of addressing AMR, antibiotic overuse and misuse in Australian RACFs with a focus on UTI management. Click here to read the article
For Consumers of aged care services
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AMS Consumer resources for aged care consumers, covering topics such as the use of antibiotics, urine testing and more
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Do you need antibiotics brochure
Incontinence Associated Dermatitis with suspected infection - Guidelines
Infection prevention and control leads
All residential aged care facilities must have an ongoing dedicated infection prevention and control (IPC) lead on site. Facilities are required to have an IPC lead to ensure they are prepared to prevent and respond to infectious diseases.
More information is available
here.
Management of outbreaks and epidemiologically significant organisms in aged care
Gastroenteritis
Victorian Guidelines
If you suspect you have a gastro outbreak, the first step is to notify the department on 1300 651 160 and then follow the cleaning and control measures in this industry guide.
Commonwealth
Gastro-Info – Gastroenteritis Kit for Aged Care –Resources to assist residential aged care homes in preventing, identifying and managing outbreaks of gastroenteritis.
Clostridioides difficile (previously ‘Clostridium difficile’)
Residents of aged care homes are at increased risk of Clostridioides difficile infection. These guidelines assist in preventing and controlling the spread of infection.
Scabies
Scabies is found worldwide, and may affect people of all races and social classes. Facilities such as aged care homes are often sites of scabies outbreaks
Carbapenamase Producing Enterobacteriaceae
Victorian guideline on CPE for long-term residential care facilities, version 1.1
Influenza
Victorian Guidelines:
Respiratory illnesses are commonly caused by influenza particularly in winter; however other viruses such as parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenoviruses, and rhinoviruses can also cause outbreaks of respiratory illness.
Commonwealth:
Clinical guidelines
Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP)
This one of the flagship clinical resources for General Practitioners in caring for older people. The care of older people, whether living in the community or residential aged care facilities (RACFs), is often complex. The challenge is to provide appropriate care of the highest quality to these patients regardless of where they live. GPs are often required to collaborate with the patient’s broader multidisciplinary healthcare team, including RACF staff, carers, nurses, other specialist medical practitioners, and allied health professionals, in a way that focuses on the patient’s individual needs.
This updated version is released online only to ensure regular updates can be undertaken and the information can remain up to date and relevant.
Infection Prevention and Control in Aged Care
Society for Healthcare Epidemiology America (SHEA)
Guidelines: A broad collection of guidelines relating to Infection Control, Animals in Healthcare facilities, antimicrobial resistance in Long Term Care Facilities (LTCF), urinary tract infections in LTCF and more
VICNISS Clinical Care Fact Sheets for Aged Care Homes
Incontinence/Dermatitis and Urinary tract infections
Australian Medicines Handbook
Aged Care companion
The AMH Aged Care Companion contains the latest evidence-based information on the management of more than 70 conditions common in older people, including dementia and its behavioural symptoms, delirium, cardiovascular diseases, fall prevention, osteoporosis, COPD, insomnia, depression and wound management. It also contains general principles on the use of medicines in older people, including deprescribing.
Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS)
AMS in aged care is required to address the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance in aged care settings. It requires a collaborative effort across health and aged care professionals and consumers.
Effective AMS strategies both reduce the risk of infections occurring, whilst simultaneously identifying and managing infections appropriately.
AMS balances the need to:
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- Detect serious infections and institute appropriate management in a timely manner (in the context of the person’s goals and wishes); and
- Avoid unnecessary antimicrobial use.
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare (ACSQHC)
National residential medication chart - developed for use in residential aged care facilities (RACF to improve medication safety for residents, and to minimise the administrative burden of prescribers, aged care staff, and pharmacists when ordering, administering and supplying medicines.
National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship (NCAS)
This guidance material is intended to assist organisations to implement, and maintain their compliance with, the Aged Care Quality Standards 2018.
National Quality Forum (NQF)
The National Quality Forum (NQF) a voice in advancing quality measures and improvement strategies that lead to better outcomes and greater value.
Antibiotic Stewardship Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Playbook™. (To purchase)
This book offers practical strategies and useful resources for implementing high-quality antibiotic stewardship programs in post-acute and long-term care facilities.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Nursing Home Antimicrobial Stewardship Guide Providing help to nursing homes to optimise their use of antibiotics
VICNISS Fact Sheets for Aged Care Homes
Herpes Zoster:
Influenza:
Pneumococcal disease:
