Month: July 2016

Nantanit Sutthiruk 1, Mari Botti 1,2, Julie Considine 1,3, Andrea Driscoll 1,4, Ana Hutchinson 1,2, Kamthorn Malathum 5 1 Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia 2 Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3 Eastern Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 4 Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 5 Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand   Introduction Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major healthcare problem worldwide. Inappropriate use of antimicrobials accelerates emergence of AMR....

Sue Atkins 1 1 Regional Infection Control Consultant, Department Of Health And Human Services, Ballarat, VIC, Australia   Background The Carbapenemase Producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) threat is real. Regional health services are not immune, and although many of these services see very little resistant organisms, preparedness is the...

Emily Larsen 1,2, Nicole Gavin 2, Nicole Marsh 1,2, Joan Webster 1,2 1 Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia 2 Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Herston, QLD, Australia   Introduction Central venous access devices are frequently associated with hospital acquired infections known as central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLA-BSI). Classification of CLA-BSI is usually the responsibility of infection...

Carmel Scott 1 1 Infection Control Consultant, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia Introduction The incidence of line related bacteraemias, particularly Enterococcus faecalis bacteraemia over 12months was an issue in a large neonatal intensive care unit. In 2012 the overall line related bacteraemia rate per 1000 device days...

Janine Carrucan 1 1 Nursing Director, Infection Prevention & Control, Townsville Hospital & Health Service, Douglas, QLD, Australia Introduction A typical multidisciplinary Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) program utilises the expertise and resources of Infectious Disease physicians, Clinical Microbiologists, and Pharmacists. Success relies on executive support, adequate resources and...

Katie Page 1, Elaine Lum 1, Lauren Healey 1 1 Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia   Introduction: There is growing worldwide concern about antibiotic resistance and its effects on public health. Whilst there are many stakeholders who contribute to this issue a significant gap in the literature...

Teresa Wozniak 1, Emily Bailey 1, Nicholas Graves 1, Kate Halton 1 1 Centre for Research Excellence in Reducing Healthcare Associated Infections, QUT, Sydney, NSW, Australia   Introduction:Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) rates are increasing in Australia. To address this, governments are investing in interventions such as surveillance, stewardship and novel antimicrobials. In...

Fiona Wilson 1, Tara Anderson 1 1 Public Health Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia   Introduction: During 2014, Tasmanian Infection Prevention and Control (TIPCU) in conjunction with the Tasmanian Antimicrobial Stewardship Network (TASNET) developed and piloted an antimicrobial surveillance module for...

Julie Johnson 1,2, Kim Comensoli 1 1 Northeast Health Wangaratta, Wangaratta, VIC, Australia 2 Australian College of Perioperative Nursing, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia   Creativity and enterprise were required to engage & refocus clinical staff on the fundamentals of aseptic non-touch technique at a sub-regional rural health service organisation. When reflecting...

Brett Mitchell 1,2, Oyebola Fasugba 1, Wendy Beckingham 3, Noleen Bennett 4, Anne Gardner 1 1 Australian Catholic University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia 2 Avondale College of Higer Education, Wahroonga, New South Wales, Australia 3 Canberra Hospital and Health Services, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia 4 Victorian Healthcare Associated Infection Surveillance System Coordinating Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia   Introduction Most healthcare-associated urinary tract infections...