Infection prevention and control in residential care facilities

Infection prevention and control (IPC) is an important part of providing safe aged care. Everyone providing care to older people in any aged care context, and everyone entering a residential aged care home, has a role and responsibility in preventing and controlling infection.

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) have developed The Aged Care Infection Prevention and Control Guide (external site) that aims to support the prevention and control of infections in all settings where aged care is provided. This is a supplementary resource to the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare (external site) and is informed by resources developed by the ACSQHC, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care and the World Health Organization. The Guide includes chapters on:

• IPC systems in aged care
• Risk assessment
• Standard and transmission-based precautions requirements
• Safely conducting and managing procedures and invasive devices
• Environmental sustainability in IPC
• Staff health and safety
• Infection monitoring
• Antimicrobial stewardship.

The Guide is intended to support aged care organisations to meet the IPC-related requirements of the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards (external site) and to minimise the risk of infection for the older people and the workforce.

Acute respiratory infections, including COVID-19

Aged care facilities should follow national guidance outlined in the following documents:

• Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) - National guidelines for the prevention, control and public health management of outbreaks of acute respiratory infection (including COVID-19 and influenza) in residential care facilities (external site)
• National statement of expectations on COVID-19 management in aged care settings in The National COVID-19 Health Management Plan for 2023 (external site).

Resources

• How to wash your hands poster (PDF 348KB)
• Further information on hand hygiene can be found at the WA Health site or visit ACSQHC National Hand Hygiene Initiative (external site) and Materials to support improved hand hygiene in Australia (external site)
• PPE: Donning and doffing in healthcare settings poster (PDF 1.6MB).
• Donning and doffing PPE video (external site)