Course Access
At the 2024 ACIPC International Conference, representatives from The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQH), the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, and the Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHA) were invited to speak on current IPC topics occurring in the aged care sector.
There were a number of online questions that unfortunately could not be addressed due to time constraints. Post the conference we asked the governing bodies to respond to the questions in writing as appropriate to their responsibilities. Below are their responses:
| Question 1. With the divergence away from droplet and airborne precautions to respiratory precautions and combination contact and respiratory precautions in the Guide (which is not currently consistent with IPC, ARI and outbreak management guidelines in most State/Territory jurisdictions and National level), it will be interesting to observe the outbreak attack rates of COVID-19, influenza and other ARIs transmitted through both airborne and droplet routes in consumers, employees and volunteers.
The change is causing considerable confusion at the residential aged care home and community coal face especially where many are struggling with a risk-based approach. a. Where did the term respiratory precautions derive? Answer: The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQH) The Aged Care IPC Guide will be updated in accordance with the AICGs, emerging evidence and setting specific changes. The AICGs are scheduled for revision in mid to late 2025 and relevant content will also be updated in the Aged Care IPC Guide accordingly. Feedback on the content of the Aged Cre IPC Guide and advice to support implementation of IPC in aged care is continually reviewed in light of emerging evidence and best practice standards. |
| Question 2. Until RACH are required to provide evidence on allocated hours to IPC as they have recently done in the US, I don’t believe there will be significant change by some providers. Not that I believe this should be financially punitive as it is in the US.
a. Some providers have stated what hours are allocate but in reality, these hours are not dedicated. Is there consideration to mandate this? Answer: Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHA) IPC Lead working arrangements may vary between residential aged care homes, with each provider responsible for determining the role (including dedicated time) as needed. The upcoming Aged Care Act and strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards will set key expectations for aged care providers to uphold strong IPC practices and measures. The Department of Health and Aged Care (the Department) continues to support aged care providers in developing robust IPC protocols to ensure the sector is prepared for any future infectious disease outbreaks. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (the Commission) will assess how providers implement IPC Lead requirements and fulfill their IPC responsibilities through monitoring and auditing in accordance with the Aged Care Quality Standards. We encourage aged care providers and IPC Leads to discuss IPC Lead arrangements to ensure they have the time to undertake IPC-related activities and to consider the role as broader than just COVID-19 outbreak management. Information about the IPC Lead role is available on the Department’s website. Additionally, the Commission offers valuable resources and guidance on IPC Leads and IPC, including useful IPC online tools. These resources are designed to assist aged care providers in appointing and supporting IPC Leads to ensure effective IPC measures are in place within residential aged care homes. The Aged Care Outbreak Management Support Supplement (the Supplement) will continue until September 30, 2025. The supplement contributes to the cost of planning for and managing COVID-19 outbreaks. The funds can be used for the purchase of:
The Department monitors IPC expenditure through annual and quarterly financial reporting and surveillance of ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks in aged care. This monitoring provides valuable insights into sector needs, based on obligations and expenditure |
| Question 3. I have been told that the accreditors will want information on dedicated IPC hours – at least in VIC. Is this true?
Answer: Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission In relation to assessment under the Strengthened Standards, the Evidence mapping guide (draft) does not include that collection or assessment of dedicated hours for the IPC lead will be required. It does, however, include the collection of evidence to demonstrate an onsite IPC lead has been appointed and they have completed, or are enrolled to complete relevant IPC training in line with legislative requirements. More information on the evidence that may be collected by the ACQSC can be found below: https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/resource-library/draft-evidence-mapping-framework |
| Question 4. Will there be posters made to reflect respiratory precautions?
Answer: The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQH) To support implementation of the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards in association with their release in 2025, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care is currently working with the Department of Health and Aged Care to develop additional aged care specific IPC resources. |
| Question 5. What precautions are taken for the management of explosive diarrhoea or vomiting? Or cleaning an infected toilet/shower from gastro organisms?
Answer: The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQH) If an older person exhibits symptoms of a gastrointestinal infection, and a non-communicable cause cannot be accurately and quickly identified, then appropriate transmission-based precautions must be applied for their management and for environmental cleaning. In general, this will include standard and contact precautions, however the type of transmission-based precautions (for example, contact, respiratory or combined) will depend on the infectious agent. For more information, refer to Table 16 (Precautions for diseases caused by gastroenteritis) in Chapter 4 of the Aged Care IPC Guide. |
| Question 6. Could the research please be distributed for the change to COVID 19 management and respiratory precautions (surgical mask, risk assess respirator), to the Aged Care IPC Guide and National IPC Guidelines? I’m interested to understand the justification.
Answer: The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQH) The Aged Care Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Guide (the Aged Care IPC Guide) supplements the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare (AICGs) for the aged care workforce and those providing care for older people. Both the Aged Care IPC Guide and the AICGs recommend that for respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, a surgical mask and eye/facial protection be used in addition to standard precautions. A risk assessment should be used to inform whether additional precautions (for example, a particulate filter respirator [PFR] instead of a surgical mask) are required. Combined contact and respiratory precautions are recommended when managing older people with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Table 15 (Precautions for diseases caused by respiratory viruses) in Chapter 4 of the Aged Care IPC Guide has been amended so it is consistent with the AICGs. |