AURA wheel 2 - CAU
Antimicrobial prescribing in residential aged care
Surveillance of antimicrobial use and appropriateness in Australian aged care homes shows high levels of inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing and identifies opportunities to improve antimicrobial prescribing and the safety of care provided to older people.
Overview
The Aged Care National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey (Aged Care NAPS) is a standardised surveillance tool that can be used to monitor the prevalence of infections and antimicrobial use in aged care homes and multi-purpose services. Aged Care NAPS is a collaborative project between the National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship (NCAS), the Guidance Group and Victorian Healthcare Associated Infection Surveillance System (VICNISS) Co-ordinating Centre. It is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.
All Australian aged care homes and multi-purpose services are able to participate in Aged Care NAPS, and participation is mostly voluntary. Since 2017, Victorian State Government operated aged care homes have been required to participate in Aged Care NAPS as part of the VICNISS Infection Control Indicator Program.
Participation in Aged Care NAPS supports these facilities to identify areas for improvement in antimicrobial use, preventing infections and helping reduce antimicrobial resistance. Participation also helps improve care for residents and assists the demonstration of compliance with the Australian Aged Care Quality Standards.
The Commission is working with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission to promote implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs in aged care homes.
Aged Care National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey reports
Further information
For more information about Aged Care NAPS visit the NAPS website.
Information about antimicrobial resistance in aged care homes is available from the Australian Passive AMR Surveillance System.