A brief message of support.

The increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Victoria will have a significant impact on health services across the state. Many will require hospitalisation, including admission to intensive care.

The number of cases amongst healthcare workers also means significant numbers of staff are furloughed. With this, the resources for contact tracing are in great demand. Deployment, upskilling and agility characterise day to day work. These are just some of the challenges our members and colleagues are facing.

Whilst I know all ICPs have been working extraordinarily hard over these last few months, at this time, on behalf of all ACIPC members, I want to specifically call out to all our Victorian colleagues to let them know they have the Colleges full support. 

I have had many members from across Australia contact me expressing their concern and well wishes for their Victorian colleagues.

Victoria is now one week in to a six-week Level 3 restriction. All of Australia is watching and hoping the numbers will turn around soon. We are all grateful for the enormous effort of our Victorian members right now.

Stay safe.

Phil Russo

ACIPC President

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The webinar will update you on the latest issues and recommendations from The College of Intensive Care Medicine, Ultrasound Special Interest Group (USIG) who recently published NEW guidelines that are relevant to all medical specialty teams. The webinar is in response to current infectious diseases (COVID19, HPV, MRSA), resulting in specialty medical groups publishing their own recommended guidelines, taking into account how ultrasound is practiced within their Specialty (Intensive Care, Emergency/A&E, Anaesthesia, Fertility Specialist), which is relevant to the wider medical community. 

From the President 

Dear Colleagues, 

“There will be no return to the old normal in the foreseeable future. But there is a roadmap where we can get control.” Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director WHO.

Carefully chosen words preparing us for the future. The pandemic won’t be over in a month, or by the end of the year. Whilst the situation is not hopeless, there is a long road ahead. Sadly, we are seeing the number of deaths in Australia increase, particularly amongst those from our aged care sector. The spread in Victoria has demonstrated how quickly numbers can escalate, and the extraordinary effort required to respond. We need to remain alert and vigilant, as similar outbreaks could spring up anywhere in Australia. I am proud of the dedication, commitment and extraordinary work undertaken by our members. 

As we move into a new financial year, and a new chapter for the College, I would like to thank our industry partners businesses who have sponsored and engaged with the College to date. In the absence of our conference, we have developed a new initiative called the ACIPC Conference Community. Hosted under the AICPC Conference website, this is an opportunity for industry to engage with like-minded professionals in the spirit of collaboration and community.

In tandem with the Conference Community, we have also released a new suite of sponsorship opportunities which have been specifically tailored to benefit corporate partners in light of the conditions imposed by COVID-19. The College has seen a huge increase in the need for ICP’s at all levels of our profession to improve their knowledge and understanding of ICP practices which has resulted in enrolments for our Foundations in Infection Prevention and Control course, and other formal academic online award courses sky rocket. Within our prospectus you will find several opportunities to directly sponsor these courses and engage with the attendees throughout the year.  We hope we can enjoy your ongoing support throughout 2020/21 and helping us pursue our vision to empower our members to be leaders in infection prevention and control.

A rapid review panel for COVID-19 infection prevention and control articles submitted to Infection, Disease and Health was established a few months ago. This has been very successful in providing quick and timely feedback to papers that may be of time critical importance to the infection control community.  

The journal has seen a massive increase in submissions this year. Reviewers on the COVID-19 rapid review panel typically review articles within 7 days of request and on average have completed one review a month. On behalf of the Board of Directors I would like to personally thank those involved in the rapid review panel for their invaluable input during an incredibly busy time. If members are interested in assisting in the IDH COVID-19 rapid review panel, please email the Editor in Chief Brett Mitchell Brett.Mitchell@newcastle.edu.au

Take care and stay safe, till next time.

Phil Russo 
ACIPC President



Read the latest ACIPC Newsletter

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Recent Position Statements 

ACCCN and ACIPC Position Statement on Facilitating Next-of-Kin Presence for Patients Dying From COVID-19 in the ICU (2020)

ACIPC letter to ACSQHC requesting indefinite postponement of hand hygiene audits to ensure IPC resources are available to meet ongoing COVID-19 challenges

ASID ACIPC Joint Statement COVID-19 and detainees – recommendation for action

The Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control is the peak body for infection prevention and control professionals in the Australasian region. Our vision is to empower our members to be leaders in infection prevention and control. ACIPC members are key decision makers in the field of infection prevention and control and include nurses, aged care workers industry professionals, scientists, academics and educators, policy makers, dentists, veterinarians, beauticians and tattooists. Meet our Board of Directors and find out more about ACIPC here. 

Tweets by @ACIPC

The National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce has been established to undertake continuous evidence surveillance to identify and rapidly synthesise emerging research in order to provide national, evidence-based guidelines for the clinical care of people with COVID-19. ACIPC is proud to be a member partner of the Taskforce. 

The taskforce works closely with the National Infection Control Expert Group, on which ACIPC is also represented, advising the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and its other standing committees on infection prevention and control issues.