Navigating surveillance in aged care

Prof Lisa Hall¹ and Assoc/Prof Noleen Bennett1^1,2

¹National Centre of Antimicrobial Stewardship, 792 Elizabeth St, Melbourne, VIC 3000 hall3@uq.edu.au, ²VICNISS Coordinating Centre 792 Elizabeth St, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Bennett@mh.org.au

Abstract:

Background information

Infection surveillance is a critical core component of infection prevention and control (IPC) programs. If effective, an infection surveillance system will prevent infections, antimicrobial resistance, hospital admissions, exorbitant health costs and untimely deaths.

Although there is no single or “right” method of establishing an infection surveillance system, sound epidemiologic principles must be applied and must be understood by key participants. In many aged care services, key participants will include an IPC consultant and/or Aged Care IPC Lead.

Workshop objectives

This interactive workshop will enable participants to:

1. Understand the current known risk of acquiring an infection for older Australians utilising an aged care service.
2. Identify key epidemiological principles to apply in establishing an infection surveillance system
3. Seek key resources available to support the establishment of an infection surveillance system.

This workshop will enable participants to ask questions about establishing an effective surveillance system in their own aged care service.

Program

Sunday 17^th November, 1100 -1230 hours

Presentations will include:

1. Infections in the aged care sector: What do we know?
   Presenter: Prof Lisa Hall
2. Key components of establishing an effective infection surveillance system.
   Presenter: A/Prof Noleen Bennett
3. Key surveillance resources
   Presenter: A/Prof Noleen Bennett