• 2020 Aged Care National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey (AC NAPS)
• Literature Review - Novel coronavirus (2019-nCov) 
• Hand Hygiene
• VICNISS Education 
• VICNISS Competencies - updated
• Infection Control Toolbox - updated

It is planned that the official timeframe for this year’s Aged care National Antimicrobial Prescribing survey (ACNAPS) will be between Monday June 1st and Monday August 31st, 2020.

Click on the link to read these reviews  Learn more >

NB: Literature review on Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was written on Monday morning 3rd February.  This information was up to date and current at time of this bulletin's release however as this is a rapidly changing situation please refer to the links mentioned in the review for any further updates as information becomes available.

General Auditor Workshops

If you are planning to run your own General Auditor Workshop in the near future please note that the Workshop Resources are not currently available online. If you are running a Workshop and need access to these resources or require assistance with your first workshop please contact Jennifer Bradford Jennifer.bradford@mh.org.au or phone 9342 9356

Auditor Validation

To maintain the validity of data collected all auditors (both Gold Standard and General) are required to undertake an annual validation process which requires the annual collection of a minimum of 100 moments and the annual completion of the auditor validation online learning package. Ensuring all auditors submitting data to the NHHI are validated remains the responsibility of each facility's organisation administrator.

No Need for Multiple Usernames in HHCApp

Did you know users only need one username in HHCApp? If you change facilities or are required to audit at more than one healthcare facility this can be done using one username and password. Do not create a new username for each facility as this can lead to confusion and issues when validating auditors.  Contact either your HHCApp Organisation Administrator or Jennifer.bradford@mh.org.au to be added as an auditor at additional facilities.

Auditing Using HHCApp Mobile  

Did you know you can save time by auditing using a mobile device? If you require assistance to get started or to troubleshoot issues e.g. locked out of HHA iPad, please contact Jennifer.bradford@mh.org.au

VICNISS Coordinating Centre provides support to hospitals through provision of education, expert advice and tools for implementing VICNISS surveillance activities. If you have any new members of staff or require a refresher please contact us to arrange an education/information session on any relevant topic.  Topics include:

Any VICNISS surveillance module, for example:

• Central line-associated bloodstream Infection (CLABSI)
• Surgical site infection (SSI)
• Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB)
• Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI)
• Haemodialysis Event (HDE)

VICNISS reports, for example:

• How to read a report, e.g. SSI, SAB
• Overview of VICNISS reports available for users

Further explanation of a specific topic, for example:

• Secondary Bloodstream Infection (relevant to CLABSI module)
• SAB – is it related to peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) or Central venous catheter (CVC)
• Carbapenemase-producing enterobacterales (CPE) 

Question and answer session, for example:

• Difficult cases – applying surveillance criteria
• How to maintain VICNISS user list on the website
• Review of surveillance methodology used at your hospital

The above are only examples so if you have any other subject of interest not listed feel free to contact us. 

All VICNISS competencies have been reviewed and updated in line with the recent VICNISS manual update.

VICNISS competencies should be undertaken with each version of the VICNISS manual to ensure you remain up to date on protocols, definitions and surveillance methods. 

Competencies are found under EDUCATION RESOURCES in the each of the relevant modules >

The VICNISS Infection Control Toolbox has recently been reviewed.  Sections "Building & Renovation" and "Hand Hygiene" have had some minor changes.  

Click on the link to view the toolbox  Learn more >