New Reporting Tool

The new reporting tool has been available on the HHCApp for organisation administrators since late November 2015.  If you have any queries on how to access these reports please contact Elizabeth.Orr@mh.org.au

New LMS on its way

Hopefully in the coming weeks the new LMS will be live on the HHA website.  Staff will be required to log in first and then complete their relevant online learning package.  There is the ability to log back in at a later stage and print certificates, negating the need to repeat the package if the certificate is misplaced or a staff member works across different organisations.  

Gold Standard Auditor Workshop in February 2016

The next 2 day gold standard workshop will be run at the Austin Hospital on the 15th and 16th February 2016.  There is one spot left, so if you are interested in attending please contact Elizabeth,Orr@mh.org.au

Like to Host a GSA Workshop

If your hospital would like to host a gold standard workshop, please contact Elizabeth.Orr@mh.org.au All that is required is a room booking for 2 consecutive days and up to 5 GSAs from your organisation to assist with the practical session for an hour early on the second morning.  Without your support the GSA workshops cannot run, so it would be greatly appreciated.

The DHHS information sheet for the 2016 HealthCare Worker Vaccination Campaign will be sent out in February.  VICNISS is currently reviewing the HCW Influenza Protocol - there are some minor changes, specifically additional information around the occupational sub-categories.  An email will be sent to all ICC's when these forms are available.  There will also be a template Declaration Form available on the VICNISS website.

The 2016 HCW vaccine is a quadrivalent vaccine - FluQuadri and currently the estimated time of vaccine availability is mid April.  The composition of the 2016 Influenza virus vaccine is:

• A (H1N1): an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1) - like virus
• A (H3N2): am A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2) - like virus
• B: a B/Brisbane/60/2008 - like virus
• B: a B/Phuket/3073/2013 - like virus

Sanofi Pasteur is the vaccine supplier this year.  A range of support materials to promote awareness and education in your health service is available, to order click here. However please note that the bad news is that for 2016 Sanofi Pasteur will not be supplying Chupa Chups.  

Data Submission Tip!!

At the end of each quarter VICNISS sends each contributing hospital a ‘data check’ listing data clarification or confirmation if data entered is not expected (e.g. CSEC wound class dirty/infected). The comments field on the webform is always checked for additional information, so to reduce the number of queries the user is encouraged to record relevant information in the comments field (e.g. ‘intrauterine infection present at time of delivery’). 

As most of you are aware, in December last year the Victorian Department of Health & Human Services published the Victorian Guideline on Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) The guideline includes a requirement for all suspected and confirmed cases of CPE to be reported to VICNISS Coordinating Centre within one business day of identification. If you have any questions or require further assistance with completion of the form please don’t hesitate to contact VICNISS Coordinating Centre. VICNISS is also organising an CPE education seminar - see details below.

VICNISS Coordinating Centre is organising a half-day education seminar: Victoria’s Response to CPE – Assisting Health Services to Implement Guidelines. It aims to describe and provide helpful advice on the implementation of the Victorian Guideline on Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE)

The target audience is infection prevention and control and others who have a role and responsibility for CPE surveillance and putting CPE guidelines into practice e.g. infectious diseases, microbiology.

Morning tea and lunch will be provided. Venue is readily accessible by public transport. Car parking and other travel costs are at your own expense.

In the afternoon there will be an additional session where the guidelines will be discussed in more detail for those who are interested in staying.

For further information click here

RSVP: to https://cpeeducation.eventbrite.com.au by COB Monday 15th February (Note: you will need to nominate attendance at either ‘morning session only’ OR ‘morning session PLUS optional step by step through the guidelines’)