ACIPC Monthly Newsletter Dec 202 : simplebooklet.com

2IPC News | acipc.org.auACIPC President 2IPC News | acipc.org.auStéphane Bouchoucha Welcome to the December 2024 Edition of IPC News. What a year it has been! There has been many challenegs this year but also some changes and new initiatives for the better.It can be discouraging to hear that the COVID-19 pandemic is ‘over,’ especially when we are seeing such a surge in cases in many areas ahead of the festive season. The rise in the incidence of other infectious diseases is also concerning as vaccination rates seem to have slumped and we need to monitor closely what happens in the US post election.The College has been engaging in many advocacy actions this year. In February this year, the College released a position statement calling for a stronger focus on managing COVID-19, and I am grateful to all of you in the IPC community for your unwavering dedication in keeping IPC practices at the forefront of the response to COVID and other infectious diseases. We also released a Seasonal inﬂuenza vaccination statement with several recommendations for keeping the community safe during during peak ‘ﬂu season, and highlighted how crucial vaccination is to protecting the most vulnerable in our community.Mpox was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organisation this year, and again the College released a position statement on this concerning situation, and we saw a number of cases in Australia, particularly in Victoria. A number of other statements were also released or updated this year. To access the full list of ACIPC Position Statements, click here.2024 saw the establishment of ACIPC’s Aged Care Community of Practice, with resources, free webinars and its own online forum to assist those working in aged care to get the support they need to strengthen IPC knowledge and practice across the sector. Our Lunch and Learn webinars proved as popular as ever, with a wide range of topics including indoor air quality, IPC in custodial settings, IPC in the pre-hospital setting, and more.Our ﬁrst Veterinary Foundations of Infection Prevention and Control course began in February, alongside our four other educational oerings, and we also ran a highly successful International Foundations of Infection Prevention and Control course, with participants from over 7 countries worldwide. Congratulations to everyone who undertook study with the College in 2024. The year culminated in our ACIPC International Conference in Melbourne, which received a record number of abstract submissions, and also a record number of delegates attending, both in-person and online. It was wonderful to meet so many of you, and to see everyone enjoying the diverse program on oer. I hope to see as many of you as possible in Hobart for our conference next year.Best wishes

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3December 2024Contents ACIPC President 2ACIPC International Conference Wrap Up 4Credentialling 14Fellowship 14Infection Prevention and Control in Aged Care Settings Course 15Blood Borne Virus Testing Course 16Evaluation of the Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Lead role in Residential Aged Care Homes 17Construction and Renovation Position Statement 18December Lunch & Learn Webinar 192024 Lunch & Learn Webinar Wrap-Up 242024 Aged Care Community of Practice Webinars 26Aged Care Connexion Forum 27ACIPC Support Safer Shared Air Report 28Aseptic Technique in Clinical Settings 29Request for Oer – Evaluation of ACIPC’S Credentialling Program 30Bug of the Month - Linezolid-resistant enterococci (LRE) and linezolid-resistant vancomycin-resistant enterococci (LR-VRE) 31Infection Control Matters Podcast 33Latest Articles from Infection, Disease & Health 34 Selected Publications of Interest 353December 2024

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4IPC News | acipc.org.auACIPC INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCEWRAP UPOur annual conference was this year held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, where over 480 delegates enjoyed a huge program of keynote presentations, workshops and sessions with a focus on a variety of IPC settings, networking and social opportunities, and a huge trade exhibition, including the always popular poster displays.This year’s theme was “Succession, sustainability, and the advancement of infection prevention and control,” a theme which was embraced by our invited speakers and the presentations in concurrent sessions.Thanks to all our invited speakers, and to the huge array of exhibitors and conference sponsors, without whom we could not oer delegates such an interesting and diverse experience.We are pleased to say that we raised $590 for the International Federation of Infection Control (IFIC) through donations to have your caricature drawn at conference, an activity which proved very popular, as did the free headshots by a professional photographer.Thanks to all who dropped by the ACIPC stand to catch up with us, our team were delighted to meet you, as were the committee members, guest speakers and other IPC experts who visited.

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10IPC News | acipc.org.au ACIPC INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2024The ACIPC address at the conference is delivered by an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the ﬁeld of infection prevention and control. This year’s lecture was presented by Professor Brett Mitchell AM, who works at the Central Coast Local Health District in NSW, is a Professor of Nursing at Avondale University and is Editor-in-Chief of Infection, Disease in Health. ACIPC LECTUREBrett has worked in the area of infection control for many years in Australia and abroad, including leading infection control programs in hospitals and at a State level. Brett has been involved with many national contributions to IPC, including with the NHMRC and ACSQHC. He is a Fellow of ACIPC and the Australian College of Nursing. As a clinician-researcher, his favourite research interests include environmental cleaning, pneumonia, surveillance and urinary tract infections. Brett has been awarded an Order of Australia for services to nursing and infection control, inducted into the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame and received the Commonwealth Health Minister's Award for excellence in health and medical research.WATCH THE ADDRESS HERE

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14IPC News | acipc.org.auCREDENTIALLING The board of directors would like to congratulate the following members who have received credentialling this month:Expert re-credentialling: Susan Jain and Brett MitchellFor information on how you can become credentialled, visit the ACIPC website.FELLOWSHIP Congratulations to Nicola Isles, who has been appointed a Fellow of ACIPC.Fellowship of the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control is a prestigious member status awarded to infection prevention and control professionals (ICPs) in recognition of signiﬁcant professional achievement. Fellowship recognises the experience, contribution and standing of these members to the College and the profession. FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK HEREFor more information on Fellowship and how to apply, please click here

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15December 2024SHORT COURSE15November 2024WHAT IS THE COURSE FOR?This course is designed to provide sta with the fundamental principles and concepts of infection prevention and control practice as they apply to various Aged Care settings in particular Residential and Community Aged Care settings. This course is for all aged care sta, including (but not limited to) RNs and EN/EENs supporting aged care IPC clinical leads, and facility managers needing up-to-date best-practice IPC knowledge and skills.The modules can be undertaken over a six-to-eight-week period and a certiﬁcate of completion will be issued to students who complete the course. MODULES INCLUDE: Principles of Infection Prevention and Control Management of the environment, resident and sta health Management of invasive devices, hygiene and aseptic techniques Management of outbreaks Organisms of signiﬁcant AMS Governance and leadershipCOST: $500INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL IN AGED CARE SETTINGSIf you have any questions, please email learning@acipc.org.au or go to our website for more information acipc.org.au MOREINFORMATIONBOOK NOW FOR THE COURSE COMMENCING 17 JAN 2025 LIMITED SPACES LEFT

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16IPC News | acipc.org.auBlood Borne Virus TESTING COURSEIf you have any questions, please email learning@acipc.org.au or go to our website for more information acipc.org.au The course has been designed for healthcare practitioners involved in undertaking testing in all healthcare settings including midwifery, acute care, community health, women’s health, correctional health, rural and remote health, refugee health, sexual health, and infection prevention and control practitioners.DURING THE COURSE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT: Epidemiology, transmission, management options and prevention of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C Dierent tests available to correctly diagnose, testing intervals post exposure and window periods for testing Post incident pre- and post-test discussion for both the recipient and the source following the incident The personal impact and medical consequences of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C Conducting a risk assessment for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C Strategies and resources for eective health promotion and prevention education Basic counselling skills including listening, questioning, reﬂecting and summarising COST: $350MOREINFORMATIONBOOK NOW FOR COURSES COMMENCING IN 2025 LIMITED SPACES LEFT

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17December 2024Evaluation of the Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Lead role in Residential Aged Care HomesThe role of the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Lead in residential aged care has shown positive impacts on meeting the Aged Care Quality Standards (ACQS), though implementation varies widely across facilities. Key ﬁndings indicate that while IPC Leads contribute to ACQS compliance and act as contacts during audits, support for the role varies by facility size, location, and workforce turnover. A whole-organisation approach is needed, engaging families, carers, and friends in infection control measures.Training and resources remain critical for IPC Leads. Around 40% of facilities applied for IPC Training Grants in 2023, but further support is needed from organisational leadership and management to strengthen outbreak management and sustain improvement. Tailored training focused on aged care, especially for residents with dementia and those at end-of-life, is recommended. Stakeholders also suggested establishing a community of practice to provide IPC Leads with access to expertise and peer support.The IPC Lead role has had a positive impact on aged care nurses, providing career advancement and upskilling opportunities. However, sta retention challenges continue to aect IPC knowledge continuity. To support retention, it is recommended to formalise IPC Lead guidance, set clear expectations, and consider ﬁnancial incentives. Furthermore, ongoing data collection on the IPC Lead’s eectiveness will provide an evidence base to guide future IPC initiatives in aged care. Emphasising IPC through broader family engagement and improving community support should also be prioritised to enhance the sector’s infection prevention eorts.You can read or download the full evaluation report by clicking here

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18IPC News | acipc.org.auCONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION POSITION STATEMENTThis month, ACIPC released the position statement, IPC considerations for planning and construction in healthcare settings.Construction and renovation activity within the healthcare setting raises signiﬁcant risks to the safety of people in these settings, both during periods of construction activity and in the planning and design of facilities.Infection prevention and control principles are vital during the planning and design phases of health facilities, to implement systems and strategies that eliminate the risk of healthcare associated infections, including things like single room provisions, placement of hand wash basins and air ﬂow systems and designs. In light of emerging and contemporary evidence these mitigation strategies are required to ensure safe health facilities are accessible. READ THE FULL POSITION STATEMENT HERE

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19December 2024DECEMBER WRAP-UP: IPC’S GREATEST HITS & MISSES OF 2024DECEMBER LUNCH & LEARN WEBINARThis month, we heard from Kathy Dempsey about IPC’s greatest hits and misses in 2024. Here is a summary of the webinar, which members can view on our website.The last year has seen many of our pandemic structures and strategies retired however Infection Prevention and Control has continued to work tirelessly towards keeping our patients, sta and broader community safe. 2024 has been another very busy year for IPC. Whilst many have moved on from the pandemic, IPC continue to stand up and provide support to our systems often overwhelmed with historical infections, new infections, novel infections and even some making a comeback. All whilst incorporating COVID-19 into our business-as-usual models.For today’s webinar, I’ve drawn on a range of sources, including AI, social media evidence searches. I also explored podcasts, key updates from the WHO and the Australian Commission, recent media headlines, and academic research. In the interests of disclosure, please note I have received no remuneration and all views are my own.JanuaryIn January, COVID-19 remained a key topic on social media, with deaths surpassing annual ﬂu totals, underscoring its ongoing impact. While public attention has waned, social media still reveals perceptions and includes striking but sometimes dubious data visualisations.Despite claims by some ocials that COVID is "over," CDC wastewater data points to the pandemic's second-largest surge, expected to peak soon. This highlights the need for vigilance in IPC, particularly for COVID, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), and emerging threats like Marburg and mpox.Globally, only 6% of countries meet WHO IPC standards, with resource limitations and uneven access to innovations like advanced PPE posing challenges. Promising advances in diagnostics and disinfection exist, but funding cuts and supply issues slow down their adoption.January saw ACIPC launch the Veterinary Foundations of IPC, joining the other education oerings – Foundations of IPC, the Blood Borne Virus Testing Course, and Aged Care Short Course. The publication of Healthcare-Associated Infections in Australia was another milestone, showcasing IPC professionals' dedication.

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DECEMBER LUNCH & LEARN WEBINAR20IPC News | acipc.org.auFebruaryACIPC released a position statement calling for renewed focus on managing COVID-19, emphasising the continued eorts of infection prevention professionals. The statement also highlighted key themes for 2024 and beyond, including antimicrobial resistance (AMR), preparing for seasonal challenges, sustainable infection prevention solutions, and material compatibility. These priorities set the stage for ongoing innovation as we approach 2025.A signiﬁcant milestone was the launch of the ACIPC Mentoring Program, designed to support both aspiring and experienced ICPs. This initiative oers guidance to those new to the ﬁeld while providing seasoned professionals with opportunities for mentorship they may not have had previously.It’s also essential to celebrate the dedication of all ICPs, whose eorts during COVID-19 deserve recognition. Congratulations are especially due to Brett Mitchell for the Order of Australia he received in the Australia Day Honours list.In broader infection control news, the ACSQHC began releasing updated CAR Alert data for January and February. Meanwhile, focus was on the rise in whooping cough cases, particularly in hospital settings, which highlights the ongoing need for vigilance across all areas of IPC.MarchAs we prepared for the upcoming conference, there was plenty to look forward to, including the launch of the new Aged Care Community of Practice. This initiative is packed with valuable resources and insights. If you’re in acute care, you may feel a bit of FOMO, as aged care is seeing signiﬁcant advancements that often overlap with acute care—particularly in settings with aged care wards or multipurpose services (MPSs).The Australian Commission continued its work with CAR Alert, keeping us informed on critical data trends.The Infection Disease and Health journal, under the leadership of Brett Mitchell, has made incredible strides, improving its impact factor and elevating Australian infection control on the global stage. Brett and the team deserve recognition for the fantastic groundwork laid well before my time on the committee.

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21December 2024MayThe 5th of May, World Hand Hygiene Day, often catches us o guard, despite our intentions to prepare better. This day celebrates incredible eorts in Australia and among Islander partners increasingly engaged with the College.Congratulations to Perri Waddell in Western Australia, named Nurse Midwife of the Year—a testament to the vital role of ICPs. Hospital-acquired infections remain a critical focus, with zero infections as the goal for conditions like Golden Staph. However, COVID-19’s unique challenges, such as visitor introduction into healthcare settings, highlight the vulnerability of health facilities.A recent IJIC paper, mapping Australia’s IPC landscape, has spurred advancements, including Queensland’s reinstatement of a rigorous infection control program, oering valuable insights for future improvements. You can access it here: https://ijic.info/article/view/23444/14942*AprilIn April, we saw the release of the ACIPC Seasonal Inﬂuenza Vaccination Position Statement. This, along with other position statements, provides invaluable guidance to help us implement the critical work we do in infection prevention and control.April also brought the release of the WHO Global Technical Consultation Report, which shed light on dierences in how “airborne transmission” is understood across disciplines. For aerosol experts, the term often carries a dierent connotation than it does within infection control frameworks. This highlights an ongoing challenge in aligning language and practices.The report delves into subcategories of airborne transmission, breaking it into Inhalation, Airﬂow Movement, and Direct Deposition.These distinctions underscore the need for continued education and reﬁnement in how we communicate and implement airborne precautions.

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22IPC News | acipc.org.auJuneIn June, the establishment of the Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) was highly anticipated, particularly for its potential impact on infection prevention and control (IPC). However, it appears that IPC is not currently within its scope, which is disappointing. That said, it’s reassuring to see the department’s commitment to a coordinated approach to national IPC advice and policy.The CDC’s role focuses on providing informed responses to inquiries, but it’s unclear how eective this can be without IPC included in its remit. On a broader scale, signiﬁcant work is underway within the Global Outbreak and Response Network (GOARN). This presents a valuable opportunity for ICPs to engage in a specialised area of IPC, with eorts from the Australian Infection Specialists and Experts (AISE) team driving leadership development in this space. Additionally, ACIPC released a new position statement on mpox, further highlighting ongoing progress in IPC initiatives.July and AugustJuly and August were packed with IPC developments, including discussions on ambulance services and the WHO’s mpox global health emergency declaration, which spurred urgent guidance for hospitalised patients.ACIPC swiftly created protocols for managing mpox in unique situations, such as isolating travellers in hotels without explicitly identifying the disease—a challenging but necessary task.A key milestone was the release of Aged Care IPC guidance, a welcome resource shaped by expert contributions. Meanwhile, the transition from Australian/New Zealand standards 4187 to 5369 reﬂected evolving IPC protocols, emphasizing the dynamic nature of infection prevention eorts.SeptemberIn September, the National Safety and Quality Healthcare Standards Guide for ambulance services was released, emphasising infection control in Standard 3. Discussions on water-free patient care raised questions about sink placement, handwashing, and infrastructure challenges in Australia. Eorts to set national IPC requirements continue, and WHO's COVID-19 IPC guidelines highlight evidence-based practices, reﬂecting ongoing dedication to infection control.DECEMBER LUNCH & LEARN WEBINAR

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OctoberOctober brought International Infection Prevention Week, and here in New South Wales it was encouraging to see organisations highlighting ICPs and addressing recruitment challenges. The Australian Commission released guidance on sustainable glove use, aligning with Dr. Susan Jain's research on appropriate glove use. I was excited to see that APIC had produced a stang calculator, a great idea, but a bit disappointing it was limited in eectiveness for Australia due to its U.S.-centric design, highlighting the need for local tools. Despite challenges, opportunities for IPC innovations in Australia remain promising.NovemberNovember highlighted the demanding year for IPC, with achievements in education and reporting but also exhaustion. The COVID-19 Response Inquiry Report mentioned IPC over 90 times but lacked actionable strategies, underscoring the need for specialist involvement. Credentialled IPC specialists grew from 66 in 2020 to 100 in 2024, though barriers to credentialling persist. Belinda Henderson received the Claire Boardman Award, recognising her impact on Queensland IPC structures. The interplay of WHS and IPC raised concerns about messaging clarity, while a standout report evaluated the New South Wales Response and Escalation Framework. Discussions on air quality, cleaning, and sustainability underscored the need for evidence-based innovations and preparation for future IPC challenges. You can view it here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196655324008277*Looking Forward: A Collective CommitmentAs the year closes, IPC professionals are reminded of the importance of their work. The ﬁeld is not just about protocols but a commitment to excellence and public safety. Despite challenges, the dedication of Australia’s IPC community shines, contributing to local and global advancements.To all in the ﬁeld: thank you for your tireless eorts. Together, we continue to navigate complexities, drive progress, and strengthen infection prevention and control. Let us remain united and resilient as we look toward another year of impactful work.*Kathy declared her conﬂict of interest as she was involved in this research project23December 2024

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2024 LUNCH & LEARN WEBINAR WRAP-UPIt was a busy year the College in the online learning space, with 11 Lunch and Learn, and 5 Aged Care Community of Practice webinars delivered. Take a look at what we covered!Lunch & Learn WebinarsJANUARYMould in the healthcare environment with Sarah Bailey.We learned about how mould gets in to the healthcare environment, how to prevent and get rid of it, and appropriate responses based on patient risk.FEBRUARY Have bug, will travel with Dr Wava Truscott In this webinar, co-branded with Owens & Minor and Halyard, we learned about infectious pathogens and their locations in hospitals, how they survive and how to reduce their spread.MARCHHow to write an abstract with A/Prof Holly SealeIn this webinar for anyone considering submitting an abstract to the ACIPC 2024 conference, we learned about how to write clear, concise and compelling summaries of research.APRILUsing cameras for hand hygiene auditing with Dr Katherine McKayThis month, Dr McKay presented her PhD study on using video monitoring systems for hand hygiene auditing, highlighting potential beneﬁts, barriers, and broader questions about the pros and cons of direct observation.24IPC News | acipc.org.au

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MAYHow to write a successful research grant with Amanda CorleyThis month’s presentation was useful for those applying for grants, and explained how to craft a clear, compelling research proposal which appeals to the funder and sets you up for success.JUN Introduction to IPC in the pre-hospital setting with Jennifer SealyWe learned about IPC in the pre-hospital setting, how it diers from the hospital space, and how paramedics and those working in ambulance services navigate challenges in delivering IPC.JUL Making correctional centres resilient to disease with Jane ConnollyThis month’s topic focused on IPC in the custodial setting. We learned about the burden of disease in prison and custodial settings, and the particular challenges of controlling outbreaks and delivering best practice IPC to this population of healthcare consumers.AUG Indoor air quality: science, practice, legislation with Distinguished Professor Lidia MorawskaWe learned about indoor air quality, its sources, how it is regulated, and what improvements are necessary in the short and long term to improve healthcare outcomes.SEP IPC Resources: A guided tour with Carrie Spinks and Karen McKennaACIPC members asked us about our range of our online resources, so our IPC Consultant Carrie and Karen gave us a guided tour through the website, pointing out all the up-to-date and easy to access information there for you to use in your everyday practice.OCT From big things bigger things can grow with Professor Ramon ShabanDuring IPC Week we were joined online by Professor Shaban, and learned about his journey in optimizing learning from the COVID-19 pandemic to ‘Move the Needle’ for IPC post-pandemic.DECDecember wrap-up: IPC’s greatest hits & misses in 2024 with Kathy DempseyKathy presented a summary of the year in IPC, the achievements, challenges, and other signiﬁcant moments in our industry.25December 2024MISSED A WEBINAR? ACIPC members can watch Lunch & Learn webinar recordings here

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26IPC News | acipc.org.auApril Looking at your facility through an IPC lens – what’s in an aged care IPC program? with Carrie Spinks and Sarah Gaines HillFor our ﬁrst webinar in the new Aged Care Community of Practice, we looked at aged care facilities from top to bottom, identifying all the areas that require consideration in and IPC aged care program.JuneNavigating the role of the IPC Lead with Carrie SpinksAfter the introduction in 2021 of the accreditation requirement for an IPC Lead in every residential aged care facility, this session provided suggestions for role and task descriptions, how to promote and enable the role, collaborative approaches, and handy templates and resources.AugustNitty gritty of aged care IPC surveillance/audit with Carrie Spinks and Kelly BartonThis session explored the process of surveillance/audit in aged care – what auditing should be considered, what tools can be used, how results are turned into action plans, and how action plans are written. OctoberTips and tricks to managing IPC in environmental services – cleaning, laundry, waste, catering with Carrie SpinksThis month we took a deep dive into environmental services and what IPC looks like in these specialty areas.DecemberOrganisms of concern – managing multi-resistant organisms (MRO) in aged care with Carrie Spinks and Penny RadaljOur last webinar of the year looked at common aged care MRO infections and how the risk can be assessed and managed, and how management in aged care may dier from the acute sector. Missed an Aged Care CoP webinar? You can watch recordings of the entire series here26IPC News | acipc.org.au26IPC News | acipc.org.au

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27November 2024AGED CARE CONNEXION FORUMHave you checked out our Aged Care Connexion Forum yet?ACIPC’s online forums are the College’s platform to facilitate communication, share ideas, seek advice from peers, and beneﬁt from the experience of other members. Our Aged Care Connexion Forum allows members to post and answer questions, subscribe to email notiﬁcations, and search online archives suitable to their specialty.We invite members working in aged care (residential and home care) to join the Aged Care Connexion Forum and participate in IPC conversations and network with those in the industry.FIND OUT MORE ABOUT AGED CARE CONNEXION HERE27December 2024

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28IPC News | acipc.org.au28IPC News | acipc.org.auACIPC SUPPORT SAFER SHARED AIR REPORTImproving indoor air quality (IAQ) in healthcare settings is an essential Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) strategy to protect the health and wellbeing of patients, residents and community members. The Safer Air project report: Safer shared air, a critical accessibility and inclusion issue, highlights the urgent need to improve IAQ to create healthier, more inclusive environments. The report emphasises the impact poor IAQ can have on chronic illness and the transmission of airborne diseases including COVID-19 and inﬂuenza.The Safer Air project is advocating for the recognition of IAQ in enhancing health equity through the creation of safe indoor spaces, and is calling for the Federal Government to acknowledge IAQ as an accessibility issue that must be addressed, to set performance standards for IAQ that will lower the risk of infection by airborne pathogens in all settings, and to recognise that IPC extends far greater than the healthcare setting, incorporating the whole community and impacting education, disability, aged care and workplace settings.The Safer Air Project and the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC) are calling for the newly established Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) to include IPC in its remit, to provide updated IPC guidance for all settings, and to include strategies to mitigate the prevention of transmission of airborne pathogens, adopting a whole of community approach.The inconsistency that exists throughout the IPC and public health landscape within Australia, combined with the lack of national guidelines and benchmarks, has created signiﬁcant variability in the design, structure and allocation of resources to IPC programs. This has resulted in an inconsistent approach to IPC and confusion of IPC practices within community settings. The integration of IPC within the CDC framework will provide a comprehensive infrastructure and allow healthcare facilities and community settings to implement standardised protocols and guidelines that will prioritise air quality, optimise ventilation, reduce transmission of pathogens, and provide structure to IPC programs to create safer settings that will impact the lives of all Australians.It is crucial that IPC is acknowledged as a specialist ﬁeld within the CDC, and as an established discipline that can inﬂuence and strengthen both health and wider community settings. Integrating IPC into the CDC is a logical and imperative step to safeguard public health, to optimise resources, promote collaboration, and demonstrate leadership in disease prevention and control.ACIPC advocates for the Safer Air Project recommendations o improve IAQ as a critical step towards improving IPC outcomes across all aspects of the community.READ THE FULL REPORT HERE

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30IPC News | acipc.org.auREQUEST FOR OFFER – EVALUATION OF ACIPC’S CREDENTIALLING PROGRAMRequest for Oer (RFO)The provision of services to undertake an evaluation of the Australasian College for Infection and Control’s Credentialling program for Infection Control Professionals.RFO Document: ACIPC Request for Oer – Review of CredentiallingOverviewThe Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC) is the peak body for Infection Prevention and Control professionals within the Australasian region and operates as a not-for proﬁt organisation. ACIPC is seeking to engage a qualiﬁed organisation to undertake an external review of the credentialing pathways for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) professionals.Credentialing provides an industry recognised pathway for IPC professionals to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and attributes. The purpose of credentialing is to provide an independent standard for assessing IPC competency and knowledge and understanding of the evidence for IPC within healthcare settings.The aim of the requested evaluation is to determine whether the credentialling assessment framework and evaluation of applicants is contemporary and adequately recognises the skills, knowledge and expertise of all ACIPC members, through a process that is rigorous, transparent, and provide consistent outcomes throughout the application process.This evaluation is needed to ensure that ACIPC is providing its members with industry recognition through its ﬂagship program in the region. The credentialing assessment framework needs to provide recognition of the diversity of careers and breadth of the profession, by demonstrating recognition of the applicant’s role and expertise, including the acknowledgement of diverse and specialist IPC roles. Further, recognition needs to encompass acknowledgment of contributions to the profession and dierent professional pathways, including leadership roles with an Infection Prevention and Control focus.Due DateOers will be accepted until 6 p.m. (AEDT) on 5 February 2025.

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31December 2024Linezolid-resistant enterococci (LRE) and linezolid-resistant vancomycin-resistant enterococci (LR-VRE) are emerging as signiﬁcant concerns in healthcare settings. These resistant strains pose challenges for treatment and infection control.LINEZOLID-RESISTANT ENTEROCOCCI (LRE)• Enterococci are typically found in the intestines and female genital tract but can cause infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.• Linezolid, used to treat Gram-positive infections, is ineective against LRE due to mutations in the 23S rRNA gene (especially G2576T mutation), which prevents the antibiotic from binding to its target and inhibiting protein synthesis.• LRE can be found in species like E. faecalis, E. faecium, E. casseliﬂavus, E. hirae, E. mundtii, and E. gallinarum.• Infections with LRE are challenging to treat, and resistance can spread quickly in healthcare settings.BUG OF THE MONTH Linezolid-resistant enterococci (LRE) and linezolid-resistant vancomycin-resistant enterococci (LR-VRE)Carrie SpinksLINEZOLID-RESISTANT VANCOMYCIN-RESISTANT ENTEROCOCCI (LRVRE)• Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are resistant to vancomycin, a critical antibiotic for Gram-positive infections.• Some VRE strains have also developed resistance to linezolid, creating a signiﬁcant concern for treatment of these multi-drug-resistant bacteria.• Vancomycin resistance is typically mediated by vanA or vanB genes, which alter the bacterial cell wall, preventing vancomycin binding.• LRVRE strains are particularly problematic in treating serious infections, such as bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections, and endocarditis, due to their dual resistance to both vancomycin and linezolid.31December 2024

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32IPC News | acipc.org.auBUG OF THE MONTH LRE & LR-VRERISK FACTORS AND CHALLENGES• Risk factors for acquiring LRE or LRVRE include previous linezolid exposure, prolonged hospitalisation, and immunosuppression.• Infections caused by these strains lead to increased mortality, longer hospital stays, and limited treatment options.• Accurate detection can be dicult, as some isolates may appear susceptible in routine tests but harbor resistance genes. A combination of genotypic and phenotypic assessments is recommended.CLINICAL IMPACT• Treatment options for LRE and LRVRE are limited, with alternatives like daptomycin, tigecycline, and quinupristin-dalfopristin required in some cases. However, resistance to these options is also emerging.• These infections are commonly found in hospitalised persons, especially those in intensive care units, due to the increased use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and invasive devices.CONTROL MEASURES• Prevention strategies include strict hand hygiene, strong infection control practices, antibiotic stewardship programs, and the development of new antimicrobial agents.• Improved surveillance, accurate detection, and constant reporting are essential for tracking their prevalence and guide treatment strategies. References1. Lillian Abbo, Bhavarth S Shukla, Amber Giles & Laura Aragon. (2018). Linezolid and Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: Infection Control and Antimicrobial Stewardship Using Whole Genome Sequencing. Clinical Infectious Diseases 69:2. DOI:10.1093/cid/ciy9032. Maria-Anna Misiakou, Frederik Boetius Hertz, Kristian Schønning, Susanne Häussler & Karen Leth Nielsen. (2023). Emergence of linezolid-resistant Enterococcus faecium in a tertiary hospital in Copenhagen. Microbial Genomics. Volume 7, Issue 7. https://doi.org/10.1099/mgen.0.0010553. Ruru Bi, Tingting Qin, Wenting Fan, Ping Ma & Bing Gu. (2018). The emerging problem of linezolid-resistant enterococci. Global Antimicrobial Resistance. Issue 13, pg. 11-19.doi: 10.1016/j.jgar.2017.10.018. 4. Sarah A Egan, Anna C Shore, Brian O’Connell, Grainne I Brennan, David C Coleman. (2020). Linezolid resistance in Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis from hospitalized patients in Ireland: high prevalence of the MDR genes optrA and poxtA in isolates with diverse genetic backgrounds. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, Volume 75, Issue 7, pg. 1704-1711. https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dkaa0755. Shakeel Mowlaboccus, Denise A. Daley, Georey W, Coombs. (2023). Genomic characterisation of linezolid-resistant Enterococcus faecalis from Western Australia 2016–2021. The Journal of the Royal college of Pathologists of Australasia. Volume 55, Issue 3, pg. 397-399. https://www.pathologyjournal.rcpa.edu.au/article/S0031-3025(22)00223-9/fulltext6. Ziran Wang, Danping Liu, Jingjia Zhang, Lingli Liu, Zeming Zhang, Chang Liu, Songnian Hu, Linhuan Wu, Zilong He & Hongli Sun. (2024). Genomic epidemiology reveals multiple mechanisms of linezolid resistance in clinical enterococci in China. Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials. Volume 23, Issue 41. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12941-024-00689-032IPC News | acipc.org.au

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33December 2024BUG OF THE MONTH LRE & LR-VREIn-room air puriﬁcation to prevent respiratory infection in aged care – Does it help?In this episode of ICMs we talk to the authors of a world ﬁrst multi-centre double blind cross-over randomised control trial, which explored the eect of in-room air puriﬁcation on acute respiratory tract infections. The rationale and pragmatics of undertaking such a trial are explored, as well as interpretation of the ﬁndings. The lead researcher, Bismi Thottiyil Sultanmuhammed Abdul, a PhD student at the University of Newcastle is joined by some of her supervisors Professors Jenny Sim and Brett Mitchell to explain this study.The paper can be accessed here: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2825943?resultClick=1Reference:Khadar, B. T. S. A., Sim, J., McDonald, V. M., McDonagh, J., Clapham, M., & Mitchell, B. G. (2024). Air Puriﬁers and Acute Respiratory Infections in Residential Aged Care: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Network Open, 7(11), e2443769-e2443769.INFECTION CONTROL MATTERS PODCAST Do you have enough sta in your IP Team? Calculating the stang requirement for your programIn this episode, Martin talks to Dr Rebecca Crapanzano-Sigafoos (formerly Bartles) who is Executive Director, Center for Research, Practoce and Innovation at the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). We talk about about her work on stang levels for IPC Teams, beginning with her early work looking at workload and then the recent review and paper on data obtained from the beta version of the APIC Stang Calculator. It turns out that the vast majority of 390+ participating organisations are understaed.. What might help however was the ﬁnding that hospitals that were better staed had signiﬁcantly lower infection rates according to accepted published data. Papers we discuss are found below:1. Bartles R, Dickson A, Babade O. A systematic approach to quantifying infection prevention stang and coverage needs. Am J Infect Control 2018;46(5):487-91. https://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(17)30597-7/abstract2. Knighton SC, Engle J, Berkson J, Bartles R. A narrative review of how infection preventionist (IP) stang and outcome metrics are assessed by health care organizations and factors to consider. Am J Infect Control 2024;52(1):91-106. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S01966553230049843. Bartles R, Reese S, Gumbar A. Closing the gap on infection prevention stang recommendations: Results from the beta version of the APIC stang calculator. Am J Infect Control 2024. TO LISTEN OR DOWNLOAD CLICK HERE

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34IPC News | acipc.org.auLatest articles from Infection, Disease & HealthIdentifying gaps in infection prevention and control practice in Australian residential aged care using scenariosJoanne Tropea, Noleen Bennett, Myn-li Lim, Madelaine Flynn, Caroline Marshall, Robyn A. Smith, Jill J. Francis, Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Judy McCahon, Kirsty L. Buising, Wen K. Lim, Sanne Petershttps://www.idhjournal.com.au/article/S2468-0451(24)00113-5/fulltextPrevalence, knowledge, and awareness of needle stick injuries among nursing students in Palestine and associated factorsImad Asmar, Omar Almahmoud, Ayat Abu Zahra, Nadeen Qattousah, Fatima Sumreen, Anfal Mahmoud, Sabreen Maalihttps://www.idhjournal.com.au/article/S2468-0451(24)00115-9/fulltextChanges in isolation guidelines for CPE patients results in only mild reduction in required hospital bedsMichael J. Lydeamore, David Wu, Tjibbe Donker, Claire Gorrie, Charlie K. Higgs, Marion Easton, Daneeta Hennessy, Nicholas Geard, Benjamin P. Howden, Ben S. Cooper, Andrew Wilson, Anton Y. Peleg, Andrew J. Stewardsonhttps://www.idhjournal.com.au/article/S2468-0451(24)00114-7/fulltextEvaluating the accuracy of an automatic counting system to detect dispensing of hand hygiene productGeorgia Matterson, Katrina Browne, Philip L. Russo, Sonja Dawson, Hannah Kent, Brett G. Mitchellhttps://www.idhjournal.com.au/article/S2468-0451(24)00108-1/fulltextMoral distress among infection prevention and control professionals: A scoping reviewMatt Mason, Byeonghun Im, Jocelyne M. Basseal, Peta-Anne Zimmermanhttps://www.idhjournal.com.au/article/S2468-0451(24)00110-X/fulltextExploring challenges and policy considerations in point-of-care testing for hospital preparedness ahead of infectious disease emergencies: A qualitative studyOluremilekun Oyefolu, Gigi Kwik Gronvallhttps://www.idhjournal.com.au/article/S2468-0451(24)00109-3/fulltext

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35December 2024Selected publications of interest Infection prevention and control among paramedics: A scoping reviewhttps://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(24)00575-3/pdfA framework for deﬁning and documenting infection preventionist competencyhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S019665532400823X?dgcid=authorCDC HICPAC Considers New Airborne Pathogen Guidelines Amid Growing Concernshttps://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/cdc-hicpac-considers-new-airborne-pathogen-guidelines-amid-growing-concernsA comprehensive pan-cancer analysis of SARS-CoV-2-related cancer malignancy: COVID-19 infection shapes a dynamic immune microenvironment and aects the prognosishttps://www.journaloﬁnfection.com/article/S0163-4453(24)00299-8/fulltextBreaking the Cycle: Long COVID's Impact and the Urgent Need for Preventative Measureshttps://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/breaking-cycle-long-covid-s-impact-urgent-need-preventative-measuresPhage Therapy: The Future of Bacterial Infection Treatment?https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/phage-therapy-future-bacterial-infection-treatment-?ekey=RUtJRDo4NzY0QUMyQS0zQzY0LTRBNTItODVFMS1BRkZCRUJCMzhBRjg%3D&utm_campaign=emailname&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--9YMi1Tmpo_Mzb4AQUiu8rPSDa1c2gU9QWhEd4Xpfx6cfBMZ88h07SlsY-ahdVFq96_5kT5pb--DFrDPzTZ7a360nIJhsftWpJHiorEL8LzRT9bIg&_hsmi=319906039&utm_source=hsThe use of ultraviolet light generated from light-emitting diodes for the disinfection of transvaginal ultrasound probeshttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10890779/

ACIPC Monthly Newsletter Dec 202

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