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Infection Prevention and Control Week

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Week is held during the third week of October each year to highlight the importance of infection prevention. The theme for IPC Week is Infection prevention and control is safe health care for everyone, all the time.

The Commission has developed a range of resources for healthcare professionals to support IPC Week 2022.

Background

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Week aims to promote better infection prevention and control practices in health care and to recognise the efforts of all healthcare workers to reduce the risk of infection in health services.

Everyone has a role in the prevention and control of infections in health care. Simple actions, such as cleaning shared patient equipment between each use and hand hygiene, can make big difference.
 

IPC Week 2022 - 17 to 23 October

The Commission’s focus for IPC Week 2022 is supporting health service organisations to meet the requirements of the National Safety and Quality Health Services (NSQHS) Preventing and Controlling Infections Standard.

Key messages

Novel infections, such as COVID-19, that cause outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics present new challenges, and require rapid responses to control and prevent further spread. At the same time, it is essential to ensure the safety of patients and members of the workforce, and the sustainability of health service provision.

The NSQHS Preventing and Controlling Infections Standard provides the framework that supports health service organisations to prevent, control and respond to all infections.

Key messages for IPC Week 2022:

Join the conversation

Clinicians and organisations can participate in Twitter discussions during IPC Week to contribute to, and learn more about, the importance of infection prevention and control and improving patient safety.

Follow the Commission on Twitter: @ACSQHC

Resources

There are some more resources to help your organisation meet the infection prevention and control requirements of the NSQHS Standards:

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2022
Guide, user guide or guidelines

This resource provides health service organisations with practical guidance on the type of evidence that different health service organisations can use to meet each action of the Preventing and Controlling Infections Standard.

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2022
Guide, user guide or guidelines

This resource provides guidance for health service organisations to support implementation of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs across a range of health service organisations. The resource was updated to reflect the requirements of the NSQHS Standards (second edition), specifically the Preventing and Controlling Infections Standard.

 

To engage and educate your colleagues during IPC Week, you may wish to use the presentation slides and 10-question quiz below.

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2022
Presentation

This presentation provides an overview of the content of the NSQHS Preventing and Controlling Infections Standard and the resources the Commission has developed to help health service organisations meet the requirements of the Standard. You can use it to help others in your organisation understand the importance of infection prevention and control for patient safety and for their safety.

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2021
Other resource

This quiz is an activity that may be used during Infection Prevention and Control Week.

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2021
Other resource

This IPC quiz, with questions and the correct answers, is an activity that may be used as part of Infection Prevention and Control Week.

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