[Carrie Spinks]

Hi Diane,

My understanding of guidelines:

Shower curtains are not generally the preferred option where the design can avoid them, particularly from an IPC perspective.

In residential aged care, bathrooms are part of the resident’s home environment and there are usually better, easier-to-clean design options.

From an IPC perspective: Shower curtains have some disadvantages:

They are porous or semi-porous, depending on the material.
They can become contaminated with body fluids, faecal material and microorganisms.
They are frequently touched, particularly around the opening/leading edge.
They require a defined cleaning and laundering/replacement program.
Wet curtains can remain damp, potentially supporting microbial survival.
They can be difficult to clean effectively while in situ.
Their lower edges may contact wet floors or become contaminated during showering.

The Australasian Health Facility Guidelines – Part D: Infection Prevention and Control (2025) https://healthfacilityguidelines.com.au/part/part-d-infection-prevention-and-control-2 specifically identifies curtains as having potential infection risks because they are frequently touched and may become contaminated with body fluids or other substances, as well as creating additional laundering/replacement workload.

Alternatives include: fixed, smooth, impervious and easily cleanable privacy solutions, such as:

a fixed shower screen, where appropriate;
a full-height or appropriately designed glass screen;
other non-porous, cleanable privacy partitions.

This fits well with the Australian aged-care design approach. The National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-aged-care-design-principles-and-guidelines?language=en promote ensuite bathrooms for bedrooms and specifically recognise private bathrooms as supporting improved infection control.

Consider:
For new residential aged-care construction or refurbishment: design out the curtain where possible rather than relying on a system to clean and replace it.

Hope this is helpful

Regards Carrie

[Carrie Spinks]

Hi Michelle,

Yes, changes were made in Nov 2025

The Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards only make one explicit legislative requirement regarding the IPC Lead: “The provider implements a system for infection prevention and control that is used where funded aged care services are delivered, which identifies an appropriately qualified and trained infection prevention and control lead.” (Action 4.2.1(a))

However, if you read the guidance that accompanies Outcome 4.2, the Commission refers to the responsibilities of the IPC Lead, even though they are not written as legislative actions.

Neither the Aged Care Act 2024 nor the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards prescribe that an IPC Lead must be employed at an individual facility. Instead, providers are expected to ensure they have access to an appropriately qualified IPC Lead who can effectively support their IPC system, regardless of how the role is structured.

The structure of the IPC Lead role may vary depending on the provider’s size, complexity, geographic footprint and service delivery model. Common models include: Facility, regional, national, hybrid models.

Hope that helps.

Kind regards Carrie

[Carrie Spinks]

Hi Prathana

Thank you for clarifying to me the infection site as gastro.

Query: has the source been investigated/identified?

Reflecting on: National IPC Guidelines: https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/sites/default/files/2026-05/australian-guidelines-for-the-prevention-and-control-of-infection-in-healthcare.pdf/Aged Care IPC Guide: https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/sites/default/files/resources/attachments/The-Aged-Care-Infection-Prevention-and-Control-Guide.pdf – while there is no specific match to Aeromonas spp – gastro management recomendations can be followed

Management – standard and contact precautions, isolation duration of illness (as possible), transmission precaution cleaning including increased frequency and use of registered neutral detergent and disinfectant. Management of contaminated linen and waste in accordance with WA guidelines. High alert for new cases – both resident and staff. Ensure unwell staff exclusion times.

As this meets the definition of outbreak, the Gastro Info Coordinators Handbook can be used: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/01/outbreak-coordinator-s-handbook-gastroenteritis-kit-for-aged-care.pdf

Re: Notification:

You are able to look up nationally notifiable infections on The National Notifiable Diseases List: https://www.cdc.gov.au/diseases/surveillance-systems-and-networks/national-notifiable-diseases-surveillance-system-nndss#the-national-notifiable-diseases-list

As the situation meets the definition of an outbreak, contacting the local PHU is advised.

Hope this is helpful

Regards Carrie

[Carrie Spinks]

Thank you Huda,

Are you able to provide references for this content please?

Kind regards Carrie

[Carrie Spinks]

Hi Denise

Balancing infection prevention and control (IPC), resident safety, and person-centred care can be challenging in a memory support unit. PPE stations should be designed following a local risk assessment while supporting safe work practices.

The location and design of PPE stations should minimise risks to residents (e.g. wandering, tampering with equipment, or ingestion of supplies) while enabling healthcare workers to safely comply with IPC requirements. The risk assessment should consider the needs of residents living with dementia and maintain a safe environment wherever possible.

Donning Station – MSU Entrance
Where PPE is risk assessed for all healthcare workers entering the memory support unit, establish a dedicated donning station at the entrance.

The station should include:
* PPE for contact and respiratory (PFR) precautions.
* ABHR positioned according to risk assessment.
* A general waste bin for PPE packaging.

* Signage for:
* Contact and airborne precautions – PPE donning sequence.
* PFR fit check, mirror as possible.
* How to perform hand hygiene – hand rub.

Doffing Station – Inside the Unit (Exit)
Where possible:
* Remove gown and gloves immediately before leaving the unit.
* Position a waste bin at the exit (general or clinical waste, as determined by risk assessment).
* Ensure alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) is available (wall-mounted where assessed as safe, or personal ABHR where appropriate).

* Display signage for:
* Contact precautions – PPE doffing sequence.
* How to perform hand hygiene – hand rub.

Doffing Station – Outside the Unit
After exiting the unit:
* Remove eye protection and the particulate filter respirator (PFR).
* Locate this doffing station away from the PPE donning station to minimise the risk of contamination.

* Provide:
* A waste bin (general or clinical waste, as determined by risk assessment).
* ABHR.

* Signage for:
* Airborne precautions – PPE doffing sequence.
* How to perform hand hygiene – hand rub.

Hope this helps

Regards Carrie

[Carrie Spinks]

Hi Carolyn,

There are examples of an aged care IPC program on the ACIPC Tools and Template webpage: https://www.acipc.org.au/aged-care/aged-care-ipc-templates-and-tools/

See: Aged Care IPC Program and Plans – there are a lot of examples and tools donated by amazing people and organisations.

The aged care space is a one stop shop for so many things, so please pop on and use use all the resources: https://www.acipc.org.au/aged-care/

Regards Carrie

[Carrie Spinks]

Thanks Camilla

Great question.

A lot of aged care organisations brought in this product/method during the pandemic – due to the product safety, 100% biodegradable – safe around people (can be used while in the room)  (Note: this differs to other products often used in fogging/misting) and on the environment, as well as ARTG registered to varied organisms.

Nanocyn Disinfectant & Sanitiser – Disinfectant, hospital grade (292455)- https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/artg/292455

Note applications vary – spray, fogging, misting. Most applications in aged care facilities used misting.

IPC and cleaning guidelines state the need for a 2 step (neutral detergent clean, followed by a disinfectant clean) or 2:1 (combine neutral detergent and disinfectant product) clean for the management of risk, infection and outbreak.

Guideline Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare: 3.1.3 Routine management of the physical environment-pg. 56 – Use of disinfectants –  https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/sites/default/files/2026-05/australian-guidelines-for-the-prevention-and-control-of-infection-in-healthcare.pdf

The Aged Care Infection Prevention and Control Guide – Chapter 6: Clean, safe and hygienic environments – pg. 106 – The process of disinfection
https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/sites/default/files/resources/attachments/The-Aged-Care-Infection-Prevention-and-Control-Guide.pdf

Environmental cleaning:
information for cleaners – https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/sites/default/files/resources/attachments/environmental_cleaning_information_for_cleaners_fact_sheet.pdf

Environmental cleaning:
emerging environmental cleaning
technologies – addresses misting/fogging – 
https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/sites/default/files/resources/attachments/environmental_cleaning_emerging_environmental_cleaning_tech_fact_sheet.pdf

Nanosyn is a chemical disinfectant product, hence manual cleaning is required with a neutral detergent prior to its use, to ensure a 2 step clean. 

Therefore , if a pre clean is not being attended and disinfectant is being applied on unclean environments (surfaces/items), this practice is non compliant with guidelines. If cleaning is being carried out prior to disinfectant application, it meets requirements of a 2 step process.

Management may be interested in considerations to costing – two step cleaning process, compared to a 2:1 step cleaning process. Consider products, misting machine purchase/maintenance and labour costs.

Hope that helps

Regards Carrie

• This reply was modified 2 months, 2 weeks ago by Carrie Spinks.
• This reply was modified 2 months, 2 weeks ago by Carrie Spinks.

[Carrie Spinks]

Hi Diane,

Great question.

Back in the pandemic I did do a small facility based trial with a transparent masks. We did not end up purchasing.

I am sure design/manufacturing qualities has improved since then.

Could I suggest working with the supplier/manufacturer to obtain a supply and undertake a small study yourselves. Consider: compliance to N95/P2 requirements, HCW comfort, ease for others to lip read, durability. Generally staff and residents are happy to provide feedback Its a great continuous improvement project.

All the best

Carrie

[Carrie Spinks]

Good afternoon,

To assist with this use the Care Delivery Evidence Collection Tool (CDECT) resources which have been updated and published by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission recently.

Link: https://www.acipc.org.au/cdect-resources-updated-by-commission/

The changes have been provided in a post prev titled: CDECT documents and IPC related review

Link: https://www.acipc.org.au/members/forums-members/topic/cdect-documents-and-ipc-related-review/

Regards Carrie

• This reply was modified 3 months, 1 week ago by Carrie Spinks.
• This reply was modified 3 months, 1 week ago by Carrie Spinks.

[Carrie Spinks]

Hi Luis,

Also wanted to present this resource:

Could it be Sepsis – Sepsis Australia – https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/resources/could-it-be-sepsis-easy-read

Regards Carrie

[Carrie Spinks]

Hi Liza,

Guidance does not specifically ban linen chutes in healthcare facilities; however, national IPC principles require healthcare organisations to minimise the dispersal of microorganisms during linen handling, contain contaminated linen at the point of use, and prevent environmental contamination. These principles are reflected in the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare, Laundry Practice Standards, Australasian Health Facility Guidelines and NSW jurisdictional guidance documents, which emphasise minimal agitation of soiled linen and prevention of aerosol contamination. Consequently, traditional gravity-fed linen chute systems are frequently considered inconsistent with contemporary IPC risk-reduction strategies in healthcare environments, particularly acute care settings.
References:
• Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. (2019). Australian guidelines for the prevention and control of infection in healthcare. https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/resources/australian-guidelines-prevention-and-control-infection-healthcare
• Australasian Health Infrastructure Alliance. (2025). Australasian Health Facility Guidelines: Part D – Infection prevention and control. https://healthfacilityguidelines.com.au/
• Clinical Excellence Commission. (2024). Infection prevention and control precautions. NSW Health. https://www.cec.health.nsw.gov.au/keep-patients-safe/infection-prevention-and-control/infection-prevention-and-control-precautions
• Standards Australia. (2024). AS 4146:2024 Laundry practice. Standards Australia.

Hope that helps

Regards Carrie

[Carrie Spinks]

This is a fantasitc initiative Luis

This article may assist with your journey: Sepsis in Older Adults in Long-Term Care Facilities: Challenges
in Diagnosis and Management: https://files.commons.gc.cuny.edu/wp-content/blogs.dir/5363/files/2020/11/Sepsis-in-Older-Adults-in-Long-Term-Care-Facilities-Challengesin-Diagnosis-and-Management.pdf

Regards Carrie

[Carrie Spinks]

Hi Liza

Under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards – Standard 3.2.2

Broken plates, bowls, cups, mugs -Dispose into a designated rigid broken crockery/glass container or heavy-duty general waste bin
Broken glassware-Dispose into a labelled broken glass container or sharps-style rigid container
Damaged knives or blades-Remove from service and place into approved sharps or rigid metal disposal container

Reference: Food Standards Australia New Zealand: https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/business/food-safety-standards?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Biological sharps container is not generally used for broken kitchen items. However, if there is contamination with blood or body fluids on the broken item, a biological sharps container can be used – within capacity. For example; where there has been an injury and there is blood on a broken knife blade- this can be risk assessed as biological waste and disposed in sharps bin.

Hope that helps

Regards Carrie

[Carrie Spinks]

Hi Liza,

All SPC practices should be provided in a management procedure/policy. The procedure needs to reflect current best practice/guidelines.
HCW should refer to the procedure to ensure their practice is correct and inline with the organisations wants.

Hope that helps

Regards Carrie

[Carrie Spinks]

Hi Narelle,

To my understanding:

In Australia, aged care homes are required to monitor antimicrobial use and effects primarily to ensure clinical safety and reduce antimicrobial resistance, rather than specifically to monitor the direct financial cost of the drugs. However, monitoring for appropriate use and adverse events inherently involves looking at the financial cost-effectiveness of antimicrobials (in this case antibiotics), as inappropriate use is considered a waste of resources.

Direct Medication Costs: Cost of expensive, broad-spectrum antibiotics compared to more appropriate, targeted, and generally cheaper agents.

Hence, reviewing the cost of all antibiotics against the cost of those that were prescribed inappropriately – will provide the cost of wasted resources. If high, this will highlight the need for change to ensure clinical safety.

e.g.
AB costs total= $3000
AB inappropriate agent or prescribed costs = $2000

3000-2000 = 1000

If correct prescribing had occurred the cost of AB should have been $1000
$2000 is high demonstrating high wasted resource use and high inappropriate prescribing.

Laboratory/Diagnostic Costs: Identifying costs associated with unnecessary pathology tests or prolonged investigation can also be reviewed.

Regards Carrie

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