[Maree Sommerville]

Hello Cate,
A recent survey conducted by VICNISS showed that about 50% of respondents who did the RPP were the Infection Control team and a very small subset of that team were employee health nurses.
About 20% were occupational health team.
The rest was made up by external contractors, staff on a return to work program, nurse unit managers or other senior nurses, a dedicated COVID team and allied health.
Who to use for this role seemed to depend on a variety of factors of which included size and acuity of the health service and capacity of the IPC team.
Maree

Maree Sommerville
Infection Control Consultant,
VICNISS Coordinating Centre
T: +61 3 9342 9362

HI everyone
Could you advise if Respiratory Protection – Fit Testing programs are managed by the Infection Prevention and Control team in your organisation.
Regards

Cate Coffey
RN BaAScN MPH&TM Grad Cert Infection Control Nursing
Clinical Nurse Manager

Central Australia Health Service
Department of Health
Northern Territory Government

Infection Prevention and Control Unit
Alice Springs Hospital
PO Box 2234, Alice Springs, NT 0871
cate.coffey@nt.gov.au

t. 08 8951 7737
http://www.health.nt.gov.au

________________________________

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to acipclist@acipc.org.au

To send a message to the list administrator send an email to admin@acipc.org.au

You can unsubscribe manually from this list by sending ‘signoff acipclist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au
FAILED AUTHENTICATION This message has failed e-mail authentication. This means that either the message is a fake or the sender’s e-mail system is poorly configured. If this message arrived in your Junk E-mail folder, you can mark this message (and optionally all future messages from this sender) as “Not Junk”, but please ONLY DO SO IF YOU ARE SURE OF THE SOURCE OF THIS MESSAGE. This warning will still be appended to all messages that fail authentication regardless of your Junk E-mail settings. Please do not call IT or log a job with IT about this. The problem lies with the sending system. Melbourne Health IT Services (Supporting Melbourne Health, Western Health and Northern Health)

MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to acipclist@acipc.org.au

To send a message to the list administrator send an email to admin@acipc.org.au

You can unsubscribe manually from this list by sending ‘signoff acipclist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au

[Maree Sommerville]

Hello Glenys,
I have heard there were issues regarding the infrared temperatures.
They have swung on to the market and are everywhere.
Ripe for a validation study!

Two things are possible:

Infrared thermometers are inconsistent and do not report accurately

Older people may not always present with a temperature when they have an infection (and in the examples you give, they may not have had one in the NH)

Safer Care Victoria has produced a tool asking staff to report daily typical and non-typical symptoms. This then triggers a response.
For your interest the link is below.
https://www.bettersafercare.vic.gov.au/resources/tools/covid-19-screening-tool-for-residential-aged-care-services#goto-usingthe-covid-19-screening-tool
Aged care services in Victoria have begun reporting this to SCV via a VICNISS portal this week.

I am sure there are better articles on aged care and infection but the below link is a simple and quick 2 minute read.
https://khn.org/news/seniors-with-covid-19-show-unusual-symptoms-doctors-say/

Maree

Maree Sommerville
Infection Control Consultant
VICNISS Coordinating Centre
Doherty Institute | Level 2
792 Elizabeth St Melbourne VIC 3000
T: +61 3 9342 9362 | F: +61 3 9342 9355 | http://www.vicniss.org.au
Email: maree.sommerville@mh.org.au

The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
792 Elizabeth Street | Melbourne | Victoria | Australia | 3000
doherty.edu.au
[VICNISS_RGB – Copy]

From: ACIPC Infexion Connexion [mailto:ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU] On Behalf Of Glenys Harrington
Sent: Tuesday, 21 July 2020 6:10 PM
To: ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU
Subject: Re: [ACIPC_Infexion_Connexion] no touch infrared thermometers

Hi Kelly,

Thank for responding.

Are you using the no contact thermometers on you patients or just screening at the entrance to your facility?

Regards

Glenys

Glenys Harrington
Consultant
Infection Control Consultancy (ICC)
P.O. Box 6385
Melbourne
Australia, 3004
M: +61 404816434
E: infexion@ozemail.com.au
[Description: ICC Diagram ICCversion]

From: ACIPC Infexion Connexion <ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU> On Behalf Of Kelly Barton
Sent: Monday, 20 July 2020 8:59 AM
To: ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU
Subject: Re: [ACIPC_Infexion_Connexion] no touch infrared thermometers

Hi all,
We are currently using the infrared contactless thermometers for several reasons for quite a while we couldnt get the probe covers for the tympanic thermometers as they were in very short supply. We have found them good as long as they are used correctly. They do not work well at the entrance screening points however, as the cold air coming into the building means they have to be constantly recalibrated. They also do not work well on cold skin. The infra net thermometers we are using are TGA approved and have been supplied by DHHS.

Cheers,
Kelly
I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we work and live, and respect their ongoing custodianship of the land. I pay respect to Aboriginal people, and Elders past and present.

[cid:image001.png@01D65E74.01B82170]

Kelly Barton
Infection Prevention & Control Officer
RN BHSc (Nursing). Grad Cert (Infection Control)(Advanced Acute Care). Nurse Immuniser. Cert IV T&A
Email: kelly.barton@alpinehealth.org.au
Office: 03 5751 9364
Mobile: 0409 885 002
Fax: 03 5751 9396
Address: 30 ODonnell Ave, Myrtleford VIC 3737
Website: http://www.alpinehealth.org.au
P Reduce, re-use, recycle. Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

From: ACIPC Infexion Connexion [mailto:ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU] On Behalf Of Glenys Harrington
Sent: Saturday, 18 July 2020 10:47 AM
To: ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU
Subject: Re: [ACIPC_Infexion_Connexion] no touch infrared thermometers

Dear all,

I note previous concerns about the accuracy of no touch infrared thermometers below.

Has there been any recommendations in relation NOT using these thermometers in clinical areas?

Think we are missing COVID-19 cases in aged care settings because of the use of such thermometers in this setting.

Have had 2 recent confirmed COVID-19 residents who were afebrile at the facility but febrile on arrival at the hospital.

Im looking for any specific directive that may have come out?

Many thanks in anticipation.

Glenys

Glenys Harrington
Consultant
Infection Control Consultancy (ICC)
P.O. Box 6385
Melbourne
Australia, 3004
M: +61 404816434
E: infexion@ozemail.com.au
[Description: ICC Diagram ICCversion]

From: ACIPC Infexion Connexion <ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU> On Behalf Of Michael Wishart
Sent: Wednesday, 4 March 2020 10:44 AM
To: ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU
Subject: Re: [ACIPC_Infexion_Connexion] Oral thermometer question

Hi Sue

We looked at contactless infrared contactless thermometers, but the actual temperature measurements provided were not considered accurate enough by our physicians.

We use mainly infrared ear thermometers in our adult patients, with a probe cover, and wipe with a detergent wipe between uses.

One of the advantages of an ear thermometer is that it does not come into contact with mucous membranes, and therefore the question about high level disinfection between patients is avoided.

But I know there are physicians who will not rely upon infrared ear thermometer readings, although we find they tend to be quite accurate, provided they are taken correctly and the ear used is not inflamed.

Cheers
Michael

Michael Wishart | Infection Control Coordinator, CICP-E

St Vincents Private Hospital Northside | 627 Rode Road CHERMSIDE QLD 4032
T +61 7 3326 3068 | F +61 7 3607 2226
E michael.wishart@svha.org.au |
W https://www.svphn.org.au

[cid:image001.jpg@01D5F208.438816B0]

[cid:image002.png@01D5F208.438816B0]

From: ACIPC Infexion Connexion <ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU> On Behalf Of King, Sue
Sent: Wednesday, 4 March 2020 9:15 AM
To: ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU
Subject: Re: [ACIPC_Infexion_Connexion] Oral thermometer question

Hi all,
Does anyone use contactless infrared thermometers?
In the current environment it may seem prudent to use them.
We use Covidien thermometers and go through 100 probe covers a day on one ward.
It would be good to reduce the level of plastic discarded too.

Regards,
Sue

Sue King
Nurse Unit Manager/Infection Prevention and control

[http://www.ramsayhealth.com/~/media/Images/email/email-RHC-logo]

Donvale Rehabilitation Hospital
Tully Ward
Phone:

03 9841 1272

Fax:

03 9842 7276

Email:

KingS@ramsayhealth.com.au

Web:

http://www.ramsayhealth.com

Address:

1119 Doncaster Road, Donvale Vic 3111

[http://www.ramsayhealth.com/~/media/Images/email/email-social-mediaPCP.jpg]

From: ACIPC Infexion Connexion <ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU> On Behalf Of Angela Carvosso
Sent: Tuesday, 3 March 2020 2:59 PM
To: ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU
Subject: Re: [ACIPC_Infexion_Connexion] Oral thermometer question

Hi Debra,

We use probe covers or the thermometers dont work anyway. I have always wiped them down with the cleaning wipe supplied to wipe down the rest of the obs machine. Its standard practice to clean between each patient. I would of thought if proper cleaning has been used with wipes rated to kill the microorganism and use of covers sufficient for general use with dedicated equipment wherever possible for people in isolation.

Regards Angela Carvosso
RN Warwick Health Services

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From: Debra Lee
Sent: Monday, 2 March 2020 9:50 AM
To: ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU
Subject: [ACIPC_Infexion_Connexion] Oral thermometer question

Hi all,

Has anyone else been asked if oral thermometers should undergo HLD to comply with 4187, as the probe comes in contact with a mucous membrane?
There is heightened awareness around COVID 19 transmission and it was raised that a probe cover is not considered sufficient protection without HLD for other sites

If you could please let me know what processes do others use for cleaning of oral thermometer probes between each patient?

Kind regards,

Debra Lee
Clinical Nurse Consultant
Infection Management and Prevention Service
West Block Ground floor
Redcliffe Hospital
Redcliffe, Qld 4020
Ph: (07) 3883 7300
debra.lee@health.qld.gov.au
metronorth.health.qld.gov.au
(Make Prevention Your Intention)
[Values in Action]
[Facebook]

[Twitter]

[LinkedIn]

follow us on social media

Metro North Hospital and Health Service
[Description: Putting people first]

**********************************************************************************

Disclaimer: This email and any attachments may contain legally privileged or confidential information and may be protected by copyright. You must not use or disclose them other than for the purposes for which they were supplied. The privilege or confidentiality attached to this message and attachments is not waived by reason of mistaken delivery to you. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not use, disclose, retain, forward or reproduce this message or any attachments. If you receive this message in error, please notify the sender by return email or telephone and destroy and delete all copies. Unless stated otherwise, this email represents only the views of the sender and not the views of the Queensland Government.

Queensland Health carries out monitoring, scanning and blocking of emails and attachments sent from or to addresses within Queensland Health for the purposes of operating, protecting, maintaining and ensuring appropriate use of its computer network.

**********************************************************************************
MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to acipclist@acipc.org.au

To send a message to the list administrator send an email to admin@acipc.org.au

You can unsubscribe manually from this list by sending ‘signoff acipclist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au

MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to acipclist@acipc.org.au

To send a message to the list administrator send an email to admin@acipc.org.au

You can unsubscribe manually from this list by sending ‘signoff acipclist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au

NOTICE: CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATION

This e-mail message and any accompanying files may contain information that is confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, and have received the e-mail in error, you are notified that any use, dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing or copying of the message and any attached files is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail message in error please immediately advise the sender by return e-mail, or telephone 1800 243 903. You must destroy the original transmission and its contents. Any views expressed within this communication are those of the individual sender, except where the sender specifically states them to be the views of Ramsay Health Care. This communication should not be copied or disseminated without permission.

______________________________________________________________________
This email and any attachments to it (the “Email”) is confidential and is for the use only of the intended recipient, and may not be duplicated or used by any other party without the express consent of the sender. If you are not the intended recipient of the Email, please notify the sender immediately by return email, delete the Email, and do not copy, print, retransmit, store or act in reliance on the Email. St Vincent’s Health Australia (“SVHA”) does not guarantee that the Email is free from errors, viruses or interference. Emails to and from SVHA or its related entities may be scanned and filtered in locations outside Australia.
MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to acipclist@acipc.org.au

To send a message to the list administrator send an email to admin@acipc.org.au

You can unsubscribe manually from this list by sending ‘signoff acipclist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au

______________________________________________________________________
This email and any attachments to it (the “Email”) is confidential and is for the use only of the intended recipient, and may not be duplicated or used by any other party without the express consent of the sender. If you are not the intended recipient of the Email, please notify the sender immediately by return email, delete the Email, and do not copy, print, retransmit, store or act in reliance on the Email. St Vincent’s Health Australia (“SVHA”) does not guarantee that the Email is free from errors, viruses or interference. Emails to and from SVHA or its related entities may be scanned and filtered in locations outside Australia.
MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to acipclist@acipc.org.au

To send a message to the list administrator send an email to admin@acipc.org.au

You can unsubscribe manually from this list by sending ‘signoff acipclist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au
MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to acipclist@acipc.org.au

To send a message to the list administrator send an email to admin@acipc.org.au

You can unsubscribe manually from this list by sending ‘signoff acipclist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au
MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to acipclist@acipc.org.au

To send a message to the list administrator send an email to admin@acipc.org.au

You can unsubscribe manually from this list by sending ‘signoff acipclist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au

________________________________
WARNING: This message originated from outside the Northern/Melbourne/Western Health e-mail network. The sender cannot be validated. Caution is advised. Contact IT Services for more information.
MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to acipclist@acipc.org.au

To send a message to the list administrator send an email to admin@acipc.org.au

You can unsubscribe manually from this list by sending ‘signoff acipclist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au

MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to acipclist@acipc.org.au

To send a message to the list administrator send an email to admin@acipc.org.au

You can unsubscribe manually from this list by sending ‘signoff acipclist’ (without the quotes) to list

[Maree Sommerville]

Hello Fiona,
Below is a summary of my assessment and the sections of relevant documents (see attachments) which led to my view.
I should add, I did discuss with other health professionals as well.
Ultimately you/your team will need to decide.
In my personal experience I have known patients to require surgery who have had an airborne transmissible disease (TB & chickenpox ) and we have not changed air handling in the operating room.
I would be asking the question that given the low community transmission, is this really necessary?

1. Building code references

a. Maintenance standards for critical areas in Victorian health facilities

i. Describe the pressure gradients for operating rooms between 9-30 pa (p 34)

b. Australian Health Facility Guidelines- Part D Infection Prevention and Control (p 16)

i. Combining alternating pressure rooms (either -ve or +ve) is not recommended ( this refers to isolation rooms but the risks remain for any clinical area) There are other documents defining OR as +ve pressure to protect the pt.

1. the difficulty in the configuration of appropriate airflow for two fundamentally different purposes;

2. the risk of operator error;

3. the need for complex engineering; and

4. the absence of failsafe mechanisms

ii. My view-air pressures have changed.

1. Hepa filters for +ve pressure are mounted after the supply air so clean air enters the room. HEPA filters for -ve pressure rooms are located on the return air. Have the filters been altered in anyway or were there HEPA filters already located on the return air?

2. Have the rooms been checked by an air engineer (or whatever they are called)?

2. Two papers (these are highly technical articles. One of them says that the benefit may not be for those in the theatre but for those outside, in corridors and adjoining rooms however this is not supported in the document. Refer then to the UK guideline below)

a. Chow TT, Kwan A, Lin Z, Bai W. Conversion of operating theatre from positive to negative pressure. Journal of Hospital Infection (2006) 64, 371-378

i. “In principle, a positive pressure operating theatre with adequate air changes could quickly eliminate the virus from the environment, and it has been shown that the risk of cross-contamination from airborne is low if staff are adequately protected with appropriate PPE”.

b. Park J, Yoo SY, Ko JH, Lee SM, Chung YJ, Lee JH, Peck KR, Min JJ. Infection Prevention Measures for Surgical Procedures during a Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Outbreak in a Tertiary Care Hospital in South Korea. Scientific Reports (2020) 10:325

i. “Overall the risk of cross-contamination from airborne infection is low if staff are adequately protected with appropriate PPE….”

3. UK guidelines

a. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-infection-prevention-and-control/reducing-the-risk-of-transmission-of-covid-19-in-the-hospital-setting
8. Operating theatres (where these continue to be used for surgery)
It is recommended that ventilation in both laminar flow and conventionally ventilated theatres should remain fully on during surgical procedures where patients may have COVID-19 infection. Air can bypass filtration if a respirator is not fitted perfectly or becomes displaced during use. Those closest to aerosol generation procedures are most at risk. The rapid dilution of these aerosols by operating theatre ventilation will protect operating room staff. Air passing from operating theatres to adjacent areas will be highly diluted and is not considered to be a risk.

In summary, if staff comply with the correct PPE no changes need to be made to the operating room pressures.

Regards
Maree

Maree Sommerville
Infection Control Consultant
VICNISS Coordinating Centre
Doherty Institute | Level 2
792 Elizabeth St Melbourne VIC 3000
T: +61 3 9342 9362 | F: +61 3 9342 9355 | http://www.vicniss.org.au

The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
792 Elizabeth Street | Melbourne | Victoria | Australia | 3000
doherty.edu.au
[VICNISS_RGB – Copy]

Hi All,

In response to COVID, and for future planning I have been asked to consider the creation of a negative pressure operating theatre for use in emergency surgery for a COVID positive case (e.g. C-section, post MVA).

I am aware that this is against the usual recommendations which are for positive pressure operating theatre to reduce risk of Surgical Site Infection. However it has been raised with me that the risk of unexpected intubation of a COVID positive patient in a positive pressure theatre puts staff at risk.

I am interested in how other facilities are responding to this issue and balancing risk to staff with risk to patient.

Kind regards,

Fiona De Sousa CICP-E| Nurse Manager | Infection Prevention & Control Unit
Launceston General Hospital, Level 2, Launceston TAS 7250
phone: 6777 6715 | mobile: 0408 487 197 | fax: 6777 5170 | email: fiona.de.sousa@ths.tas.gov.au |
intranet: http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/intranet/thon/infection_control

IPCU – ‘By working together we promote a culture of safety to reduce preventable infections and transmission of multi-resistant organisms’

________________________________

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER
The information in this transmission may be confidential and/or protected by legal professional privilege, and is intended only for the person or persons to whom it is addressed. If you are not such a person, you are warned that any disclosure, copying or dissemination of the information is unauthorised. If you have received the transmission in error, please immediately contact this office by telephone, fax or email, to inform us of the error and to enable arrangements to be made for the destruction of the transmission, or its return at our cost. No liability is accepted for any unauthorised use of the information contained in this transmission.
________________________________
MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to acipclist@acipc.org.au

To send a message to the list administrator send an email to admin@acipc.org.au

You can unsubscribe manually from this list by sending ‘signoff acipclist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au

MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to acipclist@acipc.org.au

To send a message to the list administrator send an email to admin@acipc.org.au

You can unsubscribe manually from this list by sending ‘signoff acipclist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au

[Maree Sommerville]

Hello all (and thanks Denise for the information),

Out of curiosity I completed the basic infection control course (orientation).
Over time I will attempt to do all the courses on offer.

I would be interested to know if others who have completed the course have seen the mistakes I noted.
I have sent my comments to the ACSQHC for review.

There are 7 or 8 errors and presentation flaws (from my viewpoint).
One of which refers to changing a catheter when it should say emptying a catheter bag.
Others relate to the use of PPE.
The target audience says it is appropriate for other industries such as beauty therapists and tattooists but I see very little of relevance to this group.

Recommend you do the course before recommending it to staff just to see if it aligns with your health services processes.
Of course, I could be way off the mark.
Look forward to your comments.

Maree
PS the link in previous email does not work for me but the one below does.
https://nhhi.southrock.com/cgi-bin-secure/Home.cgi?msecs=df9af0a89bf1b8b4ce84b34f91383508&amp;

Maree Sommerville
Infection Control Consultant
VICNISS Coordinating Centre
T: +61 3 9342 9362 | F: +61 3 9342 9355 | http://www.vicniss.org.au
Email: maree.sommerville@mh.org.au

From: ACIPC Infexion Connexion [mailto:ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU] On Behalf Of Denise MFraser
Sent: Friday, 14 February 2020 1:40 PM
To: ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU
Subject: [ACIPC_Infexion_Connexion] General IPC elearning modules previously available via a link on the HHA website

Please post the below ACSQHC response information to all recipients
thanks

Dear Denise

Thank you for emailing the NSQHS Standards advice line to ask about the IPC module for orientation of HCWs.

The orientation modules have been unavailable for the past few weeks due to a review. The Commission will be releasing a new Infection Prevention and Control module soon which will replace the previous three modules. They will be suitable for both clinical and non-clinical staff and will be free to register and complete. We anticipate that the new module will go live by the end of February. The module will be available through our infection prevention and control eLearning platform: nhhi.southrock.com

If you have any follow-up questions or require clarification, please contact the NSQHS Standards Advice Centre on 1800 304 056 or email accreditation@safetyandquality.gov.au

Kind regards

NSQHS Standards Advice Line

National Standards Program
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
GPO Box 5480 Sydney NSW 2001 | Level 5, 255 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000
T 1800 304 056 | F (02) 9126 3613 | http://www.safetyandquality.gov.au
Follow us on Twitter @ACSQHC

Regards Denise
MacGregor Fraser
IPC Consultant – NSW/National
HICMR Pty Ltd
Level 1, 123 Camberwell Road Hawthorn East VIC 3123
Ph: (03) 9811 9923 Fax: (03) 9882 4534
Pager: 1300 657 359 http://www.hicmr.com.au
denise.mfraser@hicmr.com.au / support@hicmr.com.au
[cid:image001.png@01D5E33C.3A5EC550]
P Please consider the environment before printing this message

This email and any files transmitted with it are privileged and confidential and are intended only for the use of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient or responsible for delivering this email to the intended recipient, any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this email and any attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please delete it immediately from your system and notify us by email at support@hicmr.com.au
Any views expressed in this email any any files transmitted with it are those of the individual sender, except where the sender specifically states them to be the views of HICMR Pty Ltd. HICMR Pty Ltd does not represent or warrant that the attached files are free from computer viruses or other defects. The user assumes all responsibility for any loss or damage resulting directly or indirectly from the use of the attached files.

________________________________
WARNING: This message originated from outside the Northern/Melbourne/Western Health e-mail network. The sender cannot be validated. Caution is advised. Contact IT Services for more information.
MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to acipclist@acipc.org.au

To send a message to the list administrator send an email to admin@acipc.org.au

You can unsubscribe manually from this list by sending ‘signoff acipclist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au

MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to acipclist@acipc.org.au

To send a message to the list administrator send an email to admin@acipc.org.au

You can unsubscribe manually from this list by sending ‘signoff acipclist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au

[Maree Sommerville]

Kate,
Cathryn Murphy discussed an Ultrasound toolkit at an ACIPC conference (Brisbane I think)
She made it freely available
https://www.ultrasoundinfectionprevention.org.au/

I would recommend you get in touch with SRACA http://www.sracavic.org.au/
Sterilising Research and Advisory Council of Australia (Victoria) Inc.) is the professional body of sterilising technology practitioners.

Maree Sommerville

Maree Sommerville
Infection Control Consultant
VICNISS Coordinating Centre
Doherty Institute | Level 2
792 Elizabeth St Melbourne VIC 3000
T: +61 3 9342 9362 | F: +61 3 9342 9355 | http://www.vicniss.org.au

Dear colleagues,
I have started in new role as Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) Program Officer at Austin Health. This is a brand new position, and in conjunction with the new RMD manager, we aim to coordinate all activities involving RMD across our whole health service to improve patient safety. As a result I am seeking knowledge on a couple of topics so as to not try and reinvent the wheel!

Does anyone have a similar type of position(s) at their health service? If yes, would you be able to get I touch and share your learnings?

Has anyone created an online learning module specifically to instil basic knowledge of RMDs for all staff? If yes, are you able to share your content or an overview of topics covered if not the whole content?

Has anyone created an online learning module specifically to address ultrasound reprocessing following the ASUM guidelines?

Has anyone recently installed a tracking system for RMD for the whole health service but specifically with a ward based focus? Are you able to get in touch off line and share the company details and reasons you chose the system you did?

Thanks in anticipation of being inundated with amazing work going on by our IC community 🙂

Kind regards

Kate Ryan

RMD Program Officer

[logo_austin]

0434 609 208 | 03 9496 6706

Infectious Diseases Department
Level 7, Harold Stokes Building
145 Studley Road, Heidelberg
PO Box 5555, Victoria, 3084

MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to acipclist@acipc.org.au

To send a message to the list administrator send an email to admin@acipc.org.au

You can unsubscribe manually from this list by sending ‘signoff acipclist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au

MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to acipclist@acipc.org.au

To send a message to the list administrator send an email to admin@acipc.org.au

You can unsubscribe manually from this list by sending ‘signoff acipclist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au

[Maree Sommerville]

Hi Michael,
I have some experience with the breast milk bank (BMB) in Victoria.
The BMB was required to adhere strictly to the Victorian Human Tissue Act and the Victorian Food Act.
I am sure the requirements for other states will be equally as stringent.
I am unclear as to how the TGA should be involved in the regulation of a BMB if the state requirements are so stringent.
Would you please elaborate?

My reading of the article is that the contamination occurred in the nursery with an accepted practise (within that unit) of hand washing measuring equipment at the cot side rather than in the pasteurisation/bottling & dispensing process from the BMB.
The take home message for me would be ensure an effective cleaning process is in place that meets food handling requirements.

What I find worrying in the news item is that the source of pseudomonas is not clearly stated.
The measuring device is washed by hand so does this imply there is contamination in the tap water or are the devices stored in such a way to facilitate contamination?
Did they genotype the pseudomonas?
Would such a long standing seemingly insidious practise of hand washing a measure be missed by our Infection Control teams?
What other potentially dangerous but small practises are missed?
Lots of questions with this one!!! I am sure the legal case will sort out these details.

Meanwhile 3 babies did not make it home.
It underlines the importance of good Infection Control practises.

Maree

Maree Sommerville
Infection Control Consultant
VICNISS Coordinating Centre
Doherty Institute | Level 2
792 Elizabeth St Melbourne VIC 3000
T: +61 3 9342 9362 | F: +61 3 9342 9355 | http://www.vicniss.org.au

This tragedy in the US will be of interest to those with facilities with neonatal and maternity units.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2019/11/08/infants-died-after-being-fed-infected-breast-milk-hospital-kept-admitting-babies-anyway-lawsuit-alleges/?fbclidIwAR0TKIMpORcX0ptAQCFIdrTClcuMunqmihHdjjrW8Ay1PDDJG_rAR3cR_fY

The regulation of breast milk ‘banks’ under the TGA will help to prevent this sort of issue within Australia, hopefully.

Another reminder that basic cleaning and disinfection of equipment is never to be taken for granted.

Cheers
Michael

Michael Wishart | Infection Control Coordinator, CICP-E

St Vincent’s Private Hospital Northside | 627 Rode Road CHERMSIDE QLD 4032
T +61 7 3326 3068 | F +61 7 3607 2226
E michael.wishart@svha.org.au |
W https://www.svphn.org.au

[cid:image001.jpg@01D46C86.4CDB6090]
[2019 conference email signature]

______________________________________________________________________
This email and any attachments to it (the “Email”) is confidential and is for the use only of the intended recipient, and may not be duplicated or used by any other party without the express consent of the sender. If you are not the intended recipient of the Email, please notify the sender immediately by return email, delete the Email, and do not copy, print, retransmit, store or act in reliance on the Email. St Vincent’s Health Australia (“SVHA”) does not guarantee that the Email is free from errors, viruses or interference. Emails to and from SVHA or its related entities may be scanned and filtered in locations outside Australia.
________________________________
MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to acipclist@acipc.org.au

To send a message to the list administrator send an email to admin@acipc.org.au

You can unsubscribe manually from this list by sending ‘signoff acipclist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au

MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to acipclist@acipc.org.au

To send a message to the list administrator send an email to admin@acipc.org.au

You can unsubscribe manually from this list by sending ‘signoff acipclist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au

[Maree Sommerville]

Hello Holly,
You may register with VICNISS as an external user.
This will enable you to access the protocols and education components of the surgical site surveillance module (plus more).
Look forward to hearing from you.
Maree

Maree Sommerville
Infection Control Consultant
VICNISS Coordinating Centre
Doherty Institute | Level 2
792 Elizabeth St Melbourne VIC 3000
T: +61 3 9342 9362 | F: +61 3 9342 9355 | http://www.vicniss.org.au

The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
792 Elizabeth Street | Melbourne | Victoria | Australia | 3000
doherty.edu.au
[cid:image009.jpg@01D2D3C9.3CE16F60]

Hi Holly,

Here is the link to the NHSN Procedure-associated Module surgical site infection SSI. The definition for Superficial incisional SSI, Deep incisional SSI and Organ/Space SSI start on page 9
https://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/PDFs/pscManual/9pscSSIcurrent.pdf

In Victoria VICNISS collect data on SSI (based on the NHSN surveillance methods). If you contact them I’m sure they will be happy to share a copy of their VICNISS SURVEILLANCE MODULE, Surgical Site Infection (SSI), which includes criteria for defining SSI along with the surveillance methodology. Might be a useful resource for you.
https://www.vicniss.org.au/

regards

Glenys

Glenys Harrington
Consultant
Infection Control Consultancy (ICC)
P.O. Box 6385
Melbourne
Australia, 3004
M: +61 404816434
E: infexion@ozemail.com.au

Dear Brains Trust,

A question has cropped up in relation to seroma and surgical site infections.

If one develops post-surgery, would it be classified as a complication and if it cultured an organism, then and would you class it as a SSI?

Does anyone know of any evidence to support this or not?

Thank you in advance for your wisdom.

Kind Regards,

Holly

Holly Dodd
Infection Prevention and control Clinical Nurse Consultant
Sydney Adventist Hospital | 185 Fox Valley Road, Wahroonga, NSW 2076
Monday- Thursday

p: +61 2 9847 9433 | f: +61 2 9473 8053 | m: +61 408468470 | e: Holly.Dodd@sah.org.au
http://www.sah.org.au

[Description: Description: SAH_EntitySignature2017][Description: Description: Description: 5 moments hand hygiene]

If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or reproduction of this message
is prohibited. If you have received this message in error please notify the sender immediately, then destroy the original message.
Any views expressed in this message are solely those of the individual sender, except where the sender is specifically authorised
by Adventist HealthCare Limited to state that they are the views of Adventist HealthCare Limited.
_____________________________________________________________________
This e-mail has been scanned for viruses by Symantec Hosted Services
Scanning Services – powered by MessageLabs. For further information
visit http://www.messagelabs.com
MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to acipclist@acipc.org.au

To send a message to the list administrator send an email to admin@acipc.org.au

You can unsubscribe manually from this list by sending ‘signoff acipclist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au

________________________________
MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to acipclist@acipc.org.au

To send a message to the list administrator send an email to admin@acipc.org.au

You can unsubscribe manually from this list by sending ‘signoff acipclist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au

MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to acipclist@acipc.org.au

To send a message to the list administrator send an email to admin@acipc.org.au

You can unsubscribe manually from this list by sending ‘signoff acipclist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au

[Maree Sommerville]

Hello Lesley,
I am not sure if any-one has spelled out this specifically.
Those pans can be mighty heavy and you have only one hand left to open the dirty utility having negotiated a busy corridor.

If there is a new build or renovation in progress you may consider a pan flush that is built into the en suite and is plumbed in along with the normal toilet.
More expensive but worth considering, particularly for rooms used for transmission based precautions.

The Australian Health Facility Guideline
Part C: Design for Access, Mobility, Safety and Security: 7.4 & 7.5 discuss Safe Design and Specific Safety considerations
These may assist you in building your case.
https://aushfg-prod-com-au.s3.amazonaws.com/Part%20C%2018%20Sept_4.pdf

Safe Work Australia discuss safe design and ergonomics in the attached link
https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/safe-design#five-principles-of-safe-design
The information here may assist you in building a case even if you are investigating OHS risk in an existing structure.

Let us know if you find something more specific.

Maree Sommerville
Infection Control Consultant
VICNISS Coordinating Centre
Doherty Institute | Level 2
792 Elizabeth St Melbourne VIC 3000
T: +61 3 9342 9362 | F: +61 3 9342 9355 | http://www.vicniss.org.au
Email: maree.sommerville@mh.org.au

—–Original Message—–
From: ACIPC Infexion Connexion [mailto:ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU] On Behalf Of Lesley Lewis
Sent: Monday, 2 September 2019 12:08 PM
To: ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU
Subject: [ACIPC_Infexion_Connexion] Distance to a pan room

Is any one aware of any document with specifications determining the maximum distance between the bedside and the nearest panroom? i.e. how far a HCW can be expected to carry a used bedpan or a macerator pan.
I am based in Victoria but am happy to learn if there are specifications from other states.

Lesley Lewis, Regional Infection Control Consultant, HRICRCS. Lesley.lewis@nhw.org.au

MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to acipclist@acipc.org.au

To send a message to the list administrator send an email to admin@acipc.org.au

You can unsubscribe manually from this list by sending ‘signoff acipclist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au

[Author]

Posts