Aged care providers are required under the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards to have practices and processes that reduce infections, including:
- having an effective IPC program in place
- providing IPC training and education to all your workers.
IPC Leads
Strong governance and a skilled workforce are essential for safe, high-quality care in residential aged care. Making sure your IPC program includes processes to appoint an IPC Lead is a key part of an effective IPC program and helps strengthen IPC practices and outcomes, including for:
- National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program (NATSIFAC) Program
- Multi-Purpose Services (MPS) Program.
The IPC Lead is the main contact for all infection issues. They also oversee the IPC program and processes to prepare for outbreaks.
The IPC Lead needs to be a nurse who has completed, or is in the process of completing, the required specialist IPC training.
Providers need to consider how to assign an IPC Lead during workforce planning, and should support IPC Leads with resources, time, and ongoing professional development opportunities to do their role effectively.
It is up to the provider to decide the workload the IPC Lead has. The IPC Lead can be a full-time position, or multiple IPC Leads can share IPC responsibilities.
For regional and remote providers, limited resources and increased workforce challenges may affect access to appropriately qualified and trained IPC Leads. These providers should consider strategies to make sure their IPC program is overseen.
The duties of an IPC Lead may include:
- observe, assess, and report to the provider on the IPC measures the aged care home has in place
- help develop and review IPC procedures and protocols based on current advice
- provide advice for the aged care home and work to build workers’ understanding of IPC
- be the key IPC contact for the aged care home, overseeing screening and vaccination programs
- support the aged care home’s antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) program.
Home care providers should look for ways to appoint a worker or team to oversee their IPC program.
IPC Lead training
IPC Leads must complete Specialist IPC Training. IPC Leads who have not yet completed specialist IPC training, or are currently working towards it, must also complete Interim IPC training. Please see full details below.
Specialist IPC training
The IPC Lead must complete specialist training that is:
- specified at the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level 8
- delivered by a recognised education or training provider
- requires students to pass assessments to complete the course
- focused on IPC.
The following training courses meet the specialist training requirements (IPC Leads are not limited to this list):
- Foundations of Infection Prevention and Control, ACIPC
- Graduate Certificate in Infection Prevention and Control, Griffith University
- Master of Infection Prevention and Control, Griffith University
- Graduate Certificate of Infection Control, James Cook University
- Graduate Certificate in Nursing Science (Infection Control Nursing), University of Adelaide.
Interim IPC training
IPC Leads who have not yet completed specialist IPC training, or are currently working towards it, must first complete Interim IPC training. This training provides foundational knowledge and supports their progress toward specialist training.
The Interim IPC training is available on the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s (ACQSC) Aged Care Learning Information Solution (Alis) learning platform, under the course titled ‘IPC Lead Interim Training’. The training covers:
- hand hygiene
- principles of infection prevention and control
- risk management for infectious agents and diseases
- the Basics of Infection Prevention and Control for Aged Care: Train the Trainer.
IPC Leads who have already completed specialist IPC training are not required to complete the Interim IPC training.
Where IPC Leads need extra training, providers should support them to take the training as soon as possible and provide study leave.
Compliance
The IPC Lead role should:
- maintain high standards of IPC to protect aged care residents
- support providers to meet their IPC responsibilities
- be supported by other workers and/or external consultants as a part of their IPC program.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission will monitor and audit your IPC responsibilities aligned to the Quality Standards, including processes to appoint an IPC Lead.
To maintain high IPC standards, you and your IPC Lead should regularly assess IPC practices. Use continuous improvement processes, such as:
- regular audits
- monitor and review data.
Evaluate your IPC programs with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s IPC governance self-assessment checklist.
Antimicrobial resistance and stewardship
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is when microbes and pathogens evolve to resist medicines, making infections harder to treat. This can be a risk for aged care residents, who have complex health care needs.
AMR can develop naturally over time through genetic changes in the micro-organisms. Activities that contribute to AMR, include:
- using antibiotics or other antimicrobial drugs when you do not need them
- overprescribing and improper use of antibiotics, such as not completing a prescribed course of treatment.
Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is making sure antimicrobials, such as antibiotics, are:
- used only when necessary
- prescribed in the right amounts to minimise resistance.
Preventing infections through effective IPC measures can reduce AMR, such as:
- regular vaccination against infectious disease
- good hand hygiene practices
- proper cleaning measures.
Monitoring infection rates and antimicrobial use can help make sure antibiotics are used in the correct way.
Aged care workers should complete AMS principles training to understand when antibiotics are needed and how to use them responsibly.
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care and Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission provide resources on antimicrobial resistance and stewardship in aged care.
IPC Training resources
Training will strengthen IPC knowledge, helping you and your workers prevent and respond to infectious disease outbreaks.
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
- Online learning – Alis essential training for aged care workers and IPC Leads to understand their IPC obligations.
- Partnerships in care program training packages for providers, families and carers partnering in the care of an older person in aged care.
- IPC online tools for key IPC guidance and resources.
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
- Aged Care Infection Prevention and Control Guide outlines IPC principles and explains how to apply these principles using a risk-based approach in aged care settings.
- Guidance resources tailored for aged care providers and workers.
- National Hand Hygiene Initiative (NHHI) Learning Management System (LMS) IPC modules to support healthcare workers and students.
- IPC – Advanced Education eLearning Modules developed for IPC workers and staff with an interest or wanting to advance their skills in IPC.