Select Page

Australian health care services

Infection prevention and control (IPC), including prevention of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), is an essential component of healthcare quality and patient safety. IPC extends across multiple areas in healthcare and practices are governed by varying discipline guidelines and standards.

The following pages of collaborated IPC resources aim to guide, support, and inform all in health care services and the broader community.

Note: Resources shared across all health care settings are in theses collaborative resource pages in accordance with country.

Australian National Guidelines

Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare

https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/infection-control-guidelines-feb2020.pdf

Australian National Guidelines

Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare

https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/infection-control-guidelines-feb2020.pdf

Infectious Diseases Network

National Network

Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases (ASID)

https://asid.net.au/

One Health

Australian Centre for Disease Control (interim) – One Health

https://www.cdc.gov.au/about/what-we-do/one-health

WHO One Health

https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/one-health

CDC One Health

https://www.cdc.gov/onehealth/

One Health CDC Commission

https://www.onehealthcommission.org/

One Health Master Action Plan for Australia’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy – 2020 and beyond

https://www.amr.gov.au/resources/one-health-master-action-plan-australias-national-antimicrobial-resistance-strategy-2020-and-beyond

Indo-Pacific Centre for health security

https://indopacifichealthsecurity.dfat.gov.au/one-health

Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

https://www.agriculture.gov.au/about/news/one-health-approach

Australian Medical Association – One Health position statement

https://www.ama.com.au/articles/one-health-position-statement

Australian Veterinary Association

https://www.ava.com.au/policy-advocacy/advocacy/one-health/

Antimicrobial Stewardship

Australia’s national antimicrobial resistance strategy

https://www.amr.gov.au/news/australias-national-antimicrobial-resistance-strategy-2020-and-beyond

Australian Government

https://www.amr.gov.au/

Australian AMS Clinical Standard

https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/publications-and-resources/resource-library/antimicrobial-stewardship-clinical-care-standard-2020

AURA 2023

https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/antimicrobial-resistance/antimicrobial-use-and-resistance-australia-aura#aura-2023

https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/publications-and-resources/resource-library/aura-2023-key-findings

National antimicrobial prescribing survey

https://www.naps.org.au/Default.aspx

National centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship

https://www.ncas-australia.org/

Australian Society for Antimicrobials – Australian Society for Antimicrobials (asainc.net.au)

https://www.asainc.net.au/

TGA – antibiotics

https://tgldcdp.tg.org.au/guideLine?guidelinePage=Antibiotic&frompage=etgcomplete

NPS Medicine wise – Antibiotic Resistance

https://www.nps.org.au/professionals/reducing-antibiotic-resistance

https://www.nps.org.au/news/antimicrobial-use-and-resistance-in-australia-keeping-australia-informed-and-prepared

https://www.nps.org.au/professionals/reducing-antibiotic-resistance

AB Summary Table

https://www.tg.org.au/news/antibiotic-summary-table/ 

Media Release – It’s time to weigh up harm from antibiotics: new report

https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/publications-and-resources/resource-library/media-release-its-time-weigh-harm-antibiotics-new-report

Hand Hygiene

ACSQHC:

https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/infection-prevention-and-control/national-hand-hygiene-initiative/what-hand-hygiene

ACSQHC: 5 Hand Moments:

5 Moments for Hand Hygiene | Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care

National Hand Hygiene Initiative

https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/infection-prevention-and-control/national-hand-hygiene-initiative

Materials to support improved hand hygiene in Australia – NHHI

https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/infection-prevention-and-control/national-hand-hygiene-initiative/materials-support-improved-hand-hygiene-australia-nhhi

Hand hygiene and infection prevention and control eLearning modules

https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/infection-prevention-and-control/hand-hygiene-and-infection-prevention-and-control-elearning-modules

National Hand Hygiene Initiative Implementation Guide

https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-07/nhhi_implementation_guide_july_2023.pdf

NHHI FAQ How to manage auditors for an organisation

https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/publications-and-resources/resource-library/nhhi-faq-how-manage-auditors-organisation

Direct observational auditing of hand hygiene compliance

nhhi_direct_observational_auditing_of_hand_hygiene_compliance_user_guide.pdf (safetyandquality.gov.au)

NHHI Hand Hygiene Compliance Application (HHCApp) user guide

https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/publications-and-resources/resource-library/nhhi-hand-hygiene-compliance-application-hhcapp-user-guide

Ventilation

National Construction Code: Part 3.8.5

https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/editions/2019-a1/ncc-2019-volume-two-amendment-1/part-38-health-and-amenity/part-385-ventilation

ACSQH:

https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-12/optimising_ventilation_for_infection_prevention_and_control_in_healthcare_settings_guidance_for_health_service_organisations.pdf

DoHAC:

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-and-ventilation-easy-read?language=en

AUSHFG:

https://aushfg-prod-com-au.s3.amazonaws.com/Part%20D%20Whole_7_2.pdf

AS 1668.2-2012 Amd 2:2015 -The use of ventilation and air conditioning in buildings – purchase site:

DR AS 1668.2-2012 Amd 2:2015 The use of ventilation and airconditioni (intertekinform.com)

 

State and Territory

NSW: Engineering Services guide

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Hospitals/Publications/engineering-services-guide.pdf

ACT:

https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/stay-safe-and-healthy/covid-19-guidance-on-ventilation

Victoria:

https://www.health.vic.gov.au/covid-19-infection-prevention-control-guidelines/ventilation

https://www.vhba.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-12/VHHSBA-Health-technical-advice-HTA-2020-001-HVAC-system-strategies-airbourne-infectious-outbreaks-RevB-Dec-2020.docx

Victorian Health Building Authority V 4 – ventilation:

https://www.vhba.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-06/VHHSBA-Engineering-Guidelines-for-Healthcare-Facilities-Vol-4-Heating-ventilation-air-conditioning-20200530.docx

WA:

https://www.health.wa.gov.au/~/media/Corp/Documents/Health-for/Infectious-disease/COVID19/COVID-19-ventilation-in-buildings.pdf

Tasmania:

https://www.health.tas.gov.au/publications/best-practice-covid-19-workplace-safety-ventilation-fact-sheet

Building and Construction

National Construction Code

https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/

Australasian Health Facility Design Guidelines (AusHFG)

https://healthfacilityguidelines.com.au/

AusHFG Part D: Infection Prevention and Control

https://www.healthfacilityguidelines.com.au/part/part-d-infection-prevention-and-control-0

 

State and Territory

NT: IC During Construction Renovation Maintenance NT Hospital Policy

https://digitallibrary.health.nt.gov.au/prodjspui/handle/10137/671

QLD: West Morton IC Principles construction and renovation and repair

https://www.westmoreton.health.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/inline-files/manual-for-infection-control-principles-construction-renovation-repair.pdf

NSW: IPC during construction and renovation and maintenance

https://www.seslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/SESLHDPR%20374%20-%20Infection%20Prevention%20and%20Control%20during%20Construction%2C%20Renovation%20and%20Maintenance_0.pdf

Victoria: IC construction booklet

https://infectioncontrol.grampianshealth.org.au/images/Infection_Control/Booklets/IC-Construction-Booklet-2018.pdf

Infection Control Principles for the Management of Construction Renovation Repairs and Maintenance within Health Care Facilities

https://www.health.vic.gov.au/publications/infection-control-principles-for-the-management-of-construction-renovation-repairs-and

Infection Control Principles for the Management of Construction, Renovation, Repairs and Maintenance within Health Care Facilities https://content.health.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/migrated/files/collections/policies-and-guidelines/c/constructionrenovationrepairsmaintenanceinhealthcf—pdf.pdf

Maintenance standards for critical areas in Victorian health facilities

https://www.health.vic.gov.au/publications/maintenance-standards-for-critical-areas-in-victorian-health-facilities

Mental Health – example:

https://www.vhba.vic.gov.au/mental-health-prevention-and-recovery-care-unit-part-b-health-facility-briefing-and-planning

WA: IPC construction and renovation activities policy

https://www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au/~/media/WACHS/Documents/About-us/Policies/Infection-Prevention-and-Control-during-Construction-and-Renovation-Activities-Policy.pdf?thn=0

AS / NZS 3666 Air-handling and Water Systems of Buildings

https://ablis.business.gov.au/service/wa/australian-new-zealand-standard-as-nzs-3666-air-handling-and-water-systems-of-buildings-microbial-control/29652

SA: IPC during construction and renovation toolkit

https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/bbe45e0047741ab092f8b2dd1460951d/Construction-&-renovation-toolkit-version+v1.2+[Jul2018]-cdcb-ics-20180711.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHE=NONE&CONTENTCACHE=NONE

Commissioning Building Checklist

20230517+Checklist+Commissioning.pdf (sahealth.sa.gov.au)

Tasmania: Redevelopment example – including resources:

https://www.rhhredevelopment.tas.gov.au/

Reprocessing of reusable equipment and devices

ACSQHC: Reprocessing of reusable equipment and devices

https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/standards/nsqhs-standards/preventing-and-controlling-infections-standard/reprocessing-reusable-equipment-and-devices#:~:text=Reprocessing%20of%20reusable%20equipment%20and%20devices%20meets%20current%20best%20practice,in%20the%20health%20service%20organisation.

Standard purchase: AS 5369:2023 Reprocessing of reusable medical devices and other devices in health and non-health related facilities

https://store.standards.org.au/product/as-5369-2023

Transitioning from AS/NZS 4187:2014 to AS 5369:2023

https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/publications-and-resources/resource-library/transitioning-asnzs-41872014-53692023

Sterilising Research and Advisory Council of Australia

Federal: https://www.fsraca.org.au/

State and Territory

QLD: https://sracaqld.memberjungle.com/home

NSW: https://www.sracansw.org.au/

Victoria: https://www.sracavic.org.au/

SA: https://www.sracasa.org.au/

WA: https://www.sracawa.org.au/

Australian Society for Ultrasound Medicine – guidelines for reprocessing ultrasound probes

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ajum.12042

AHFG: Part B – Health Facility Briefing and Planning 0190 – Sterilizing Services and Endoscope Reprocessing Units

https://aushfg-prod-com-au.s3.amazonaws.com/HPU_B.0190_7_0.pdf

Healthcare associated Infections

ACSQHC: Healthcare associated Infections

https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/sites/default/files/migrated/SAQ7730_HAC_Factsheet_HealthcareAssociatedInfections_LongV2.pdf

ACSQHC: Healthcare-Associated Infection Program

https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/healthcare-associated-infection-program

Australian Institute of health and Welfare (AIHW)- Admitted patient safety and quality

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-data/myhospitals/intersection/quality/apc

Urinary Tract Infection

CAUTI:

QLD: https://clinicalexcellence.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/docs/clinical-networks/cauti-prevention-position-statement.pdf

NSW: https://www.cec.health.nsw.gov.au/keep-patients-safe/infection-prevention-and-control/healthcare-associated-infections/cauti-prevention

Victoria: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/migrated/files/collections/eccn/2015/urinary-catheter-management—2015/university-hospital-geelong—urinary-catheter-management—2015.pdf

SA: https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/clinical+resources/clinical+programs+and+practice+guidelines/infection+and+injury+management/healthcare+associated+infections/indwelling+medical+device+management/preventing+catheter-associated+urinary+tract+infection

Tasmania: https://doh.health.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/56399/Preventing_catheter_associated_urinary_tract_infections.pdf

Gastroenterological

Gastroenterological Nurses College of Australasia (GENCA)

https://www.genca.org/

GENCA infection control guidelines

https://www.genca.org/public/5/files/Nurses%20info/IPCE%202021_Feb2022update.pdf

Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA)

https://www.gesa.org.au/

Management of Blood Borne Viruses
Environmental Services

Waste management

Australian Waste Policy – Department of Climate Change, Energy and Environment and Water

https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/waste/how-we-manage-waste/national-waste-policy

Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia

https://www.wmrr.asn.au/Web/Default.aspx

Environmental Protection Authority – Waste guidelines

NT: https://ntepa.nt.gov.au/consultation/environmental-guidelines

QLD: https://www.des.qld.gov.au/policies?a=272936:policy_registry/pr-gl-clinical-and-related-waste.pdf

NSW: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/waste/industrial-waste/clinical-and-related-waste

Victoria: 

https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/for-business/find-a-topic/about-clinical-wastehttps://www.health.vic.gov.au/planning-infrastructure/waste

https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/about-epa/publications/iwrg612-1

SA: https://www.epa.sa.gov.au/environmental_info/waste_recycling/disposing-waste

WA: https://www.epa.wa.gov.au/guidelines-and-procedures

TAS: https://epa.tas.gov.au/business-industry/regulation/waste-management/controlled-waste/handling-controlled-waste-in-tasmania/required-approvals-authorisations-for-controlled-waste-management/approved-management-methods/clinical-and-related-waste

Linen Management

Australia/New Zealand Laundry Practice AS/NZS 4146:2000

https://www.saiglobal.com/PDFTemp/Previews/OSH/as/as4000/4100/4146.pdf

Australian HealthCare Laundry & Linen Services Association. (2012). Codes of Practice for Public Healthcare Operated Laundries and Linen Services.

https://laundryanddrycleaning.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Laundry-Standards-Codes-of-Practice-2012.pdf

Laundry Hygiene Australia

https://www.laundryhygiene.com.au/laundry-standards/

Catering

Food Standards and Safety

https://www.health.gov.au/topics/food-and-nutrition/about/food-standards-and-safety

Food Standards Australia and New Zealand

https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/

Food Standards Code

https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/food-standards-code