Sepsis standard urges swift action to save lives

Sepsis survivors and clinicians across Australia have welcomed the new Sepsis Clinical Care Standard, released in partnership with The George Institute for Global Health on 30 June. The standard has been described as a ‘game changer’, a powerful addition to efforts to increase recognition of sepsis as a medical emergency.

Each year more than 8,700 Australians die from sepsis – a condition triggered by an infection, which can be life-threatening if not recognised early. The new standard requires healthcare services to implement systems to flag people who may have sepsis, assess and treat them urgently, and if necessary, escalate to a higher level of care.

A key focus of the standard is the care of patients after they leave hospital, in recognition of the ongoing effects of sepsis and ‘post-sepsis syndrome’. Download the standard, access our implementation resources, and watch the webcast and panel discussion.

Australia's new Governance Framework is world leading

The recent launch of our world-leading National Clinical Trials Governance Framework has put Australia at the forefront of clinical trials globally. The Governance Framework embeds clinical trial services into routine practices of health service organisations under the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.

Assessment to the Governance Framework will commence from January 2023 under the Australian Health Service Safety and Quality Accreditation (AHSSQA) Scheme. The Commission is currently updating the implementation resources for health services.

Watch the launch of the Governance Framework by Dr Brendan Murphy, Secretary of the Australian Government Department of Health, and other healthcare leaders, on 24 May at the annual ARCS conference.

Work underway on Aged Care Quality Standards

The urgent review of the Aged Care Quality Standards was a recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

The Commission has drafted a clinical care standard that will form part of the proposed revised Aged Care Quality Standards. The standard will provide guidance on the clinical care that older people can expect from Commonwealth-subsidised aged care services. It aims to protect older people from harm and improve the quality of clinical care delivered in residential care and community settings.

We are working closely with the Department of Health and Aged Care, and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, to develop the clinical and non-clinical standards. The Department is leading consultation on the draft Quality Standards during September and October. Register your interest at the Ageing and Aged Care Engagement Hub.

Guide for acute and community mental health services

Have you seen our new National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards User Guide for Acute and Community Mental Health Services? It features practical advice on how to implement the NSQHS Standards. The guide does not contain any new actions, but provides additional, sector-specific guidance for mental health services, including: 

• Community mental health services provided by Local Hospital Networks
• Mental health units in public and private hospitals
• Standalone mental health public and private hospitals
• Hospital in the home services.

The user guide features a number of spotlight issues focused on key safety and quality aspects in the delivery of mental health care, including working with carers, reducing restrictive practices and preventing suicide. Access the user guide today.

Find out the best care for low back pain

Low back pain is common, affects most people at some point in their lives and is a leading cause of disability worldwide. As well as pain, it often leads to psychological distress and poorer quality of life.

In September, we release the first national clinical care standard for low back pain, which describes the key aspects of care that patients should receive. The standard will help improve the early assessment, management, review, and appropriate referral of patients with low back pain. Watch for details on our launch webcast, coming soon!

Culturally appropriate sepsis resources now available

We have developed culturally appropriate resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to raise awareness of sepsis, in collaboration with the Northern Territory Department of Health and The George Institute for Global Health.

The resources build on the National Sepsis Awareness campaign, which is focused on reducing preventable harm caused by sepsis. The new resources include posters, a brochure and videos for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, who are at greater risk of developing sepsis.

By simply asking 'Could it be sepsis?', life-saving treatment can be provided to stop severe health complications and prevent death. Download and share the resources at: safetyandquality.gov.au/sepsis-first-nations

Quick Bites

We’d like to know more about you – and our website

To improve our website, we are seeking expressions of interest to become a website tester. Knowing about your user experience is vital to our improvement work and will help us to deliver better access to the Commission’s resources. There is no obligation after signing up, or any experience necessary. From time to time, we’ll be in touch with some questions or tasks. You will be able to accept or decline participation and can opt out at any time. Sign up today!

CARAlert Annual Report 2021 now available

The CARAlert Annual Report 2021 showed a downward trend in data submitted to the National Alert System for Critical Antimicrobial Resistances, which highlights priority organisms with critical resistance to last-line antimicrobials (CARs). Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) was the most frequently reported CAR and the majority of CARs were reported from public hospitals. The 18% decrease in reporting compared to 2020 may be due to the impact of the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ongoing monitoring of CARs is important for patient safety.

New guidance on carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales

We have released new fact sheets for nurses and doctors and health service organisations on preventing and managing the spread of infections caused by carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE). It is difficult to treat patients with infections caused by CPE because these infections are resistant to many antimicrobials, leaving few effective treatment options, making prevention even more important. The fact sheets support implementation of the Recommendations for the control of CPE and complement our CPE patient fact sheet.

Updated infection prevention and control e-Learning modules

We have completed our refresh of the suite of infection prevention and control eLearning modules to optimise the learner experience and complement the 2021 Preventing and Controlling Infections Standard and the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare. The modules support new and experienced healthcare workers, and people working in aged care and the community. Register and access the modules for free in the National Hand Hygiene Initiative Learning Management System.

Careers at the Commission

Meet Dr Liz Marles, Clinical Director

What is your role, in 25 words or less?

I joined the Commission in September last year as Clinical Director for primary care. I provide advice on the National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Healthcare Standards and have chaired consultations on the soon-to-be released Low Back Pain Clinical Care Standard and Stillbirth Clinical Care Standard. I have input to areas of Commission work that impact on primary care.

What did you do before the Commission?

I’ve had a diverse career. I still work as a part-time GP in Hornsby and for 15 years prior, at the Aboriginal Medical Service in Redfern. I have a strong interest in systems and policy, and serve on a number of government boards and committees, with a particular interest in therapeutics.

About a decade ago, I was elected President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). This presented opportunities to influence policy and even to be the medical anchor for a TV series on preventative health ‘Save Your Life Tonight’, mostly on daytime TV. My patients would love it when it came on in the waiting room!

I have also been a high school science and maths teacher in the past, and I remain committed to medical education as a GP supervisor and trainer.

What was your first job?

Potting plants and pulling weeds at the Lara Plant Farm. My first professional job was as an administrative officer at the Health Commission of Victoria.

What is it like working at the Commission?

Really stimulating – I love working with such intelligent and committed colleagues to make healthcare better.

What is currently at the top of your to-do list?

1. Facilitating collaboration with the RACGP on Commission projects
2. Launch of the clinical care standards for low back pain and stillbirth in the next few months.

What are you looking forward to in 2022?

Travelling to Peru and Columbia in September. Oh, you mean in relation to work? Getting to know staff in the Commission, building relationships and bringing a greater understanding of how general practice can be most effectively used to drive quality and safety in our healthcare system.