Course Access
Hello Everyone,
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has also kindly respoded to questions from the COP webinar:
ACQSC Response
1. Where some prescribers continue to prescribe PRN topical antimicrobials without clear clinical indications, defined duration, or review requirements, what mechanisms does the Commission have to reinforce adherence to antimicrobial stewardship principles?
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission regulate aged care providers. We do not regulate prescribers or provide comment on a prescriber’s trends. We regulate against the Aged Care Act 2024 and the Aged Care Quality Standards. Aged Care providers should have an effective antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) system that reflects contemporary, evidence-based practice and is relevant to the service context. AMS systems help services promote appropriate use of antimicrobials, improve care for older people, and reduce the negative effects of using antimicrobials (including antimicrobial resistance, toxicity and unnecessary costs).
The Commission has developed a range of resources to help providers implement and strengthen their AMS practices, including:
The AMS Self-Assessment Tool and User Guide supports providers to monitor and understand their progress towards creating a comprehensive AMS program. Chapter 16 of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Book – Antimicrobial stewardship in community and residential aged care and the Antimicrobial Stewardship Clinical Care Standard have recommendations of contemporary, evidence-based practice.
The AMS and quality improvement for aged care leaders program helps providers to develop, implement and improve their AMS systems
To Dip or Not to Dip (TDONTD) is a quality improvement activity to improve the way providers assess and manage urinary tract infections (UTIs). It aims to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for UTIs in aged care. To Dip or Not to Dip resources include an audit tool.
2. Given that aged care providers are responsible for supporting safe medication management but do not independently control prescribing decisions, how does the regulatory framework ensure that prescribing accountability is appropriately shared with, and enforced for, prescribers?
Aged care providers have an important role in maintaining an effective antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) system. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission does not regulate prescribers, and prescribing decisions are the responsibility of the medical or nurse practitioner. However, providers must promote and support best-practice antimicrobial use within their service. This includes providers having processes in place to effectively engage with prescribers and provide relevant information, assessments, and support to inform clinical decision-making and appropriately document.
3. How does the Commission monitor and respond to repeated non-compliance with antimicrobial prescribing guidelines, particularly where inappropriate prescribing may contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AMR)?
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission monitor providers and workers to make sure they comply with their aged care obligations under the Aged Care Act and the Aged Care Rules.