Infection prevention and control

Overview

Infections associated with the provision of health care affect patients, consumers, and the health workforce and:

• Can cause considerable harm and may increase the risk of morbidity, and death
• Increase the use of health services – for example, extended length of stay, resulting in increased use of health resources such as inpatient beds, treatment options and investigations
• Place greater demands on the health workforce.

Infection prevention and control within healthcare settings aims to minimise the risk of transmission of infections and the development of antimicrobial resistance. An effective risk management system for infection prevention and control involves the identification of hazards, and assessment and control of risks for patients, visitors, and the health workforce, so far as is reasonably practicable. This approach requires consultation, cooperation and coordination between the health service organisation, patients, consumers and members of the workforce.

The Commission has developed a number of resources to support health service organisations to meet the infection prevention and control requirements of the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards and the National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Healthcare Standards. These resources are developed in consultation with the Commission’s Infection Prevention and Control Advisory Committee and are designed to assist health service organisations, their workforce and their consumers in implementing effective infection prevention and control practices.

The Commission has also developed specific resources about infection prevention and control in aged care.