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Healthcare Infection Healthcare Infection Society
Official Journal of the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control
Table of Contents
Healthcare Infection

Healthcare Infection

Volume 20 Number 1 2015

Infection Control in Non-hospital Settings


In order to effectively prevent infection, and the development of resistant bacteria, infection control and antibiotic stewardship programs need to expand outside of hospitals. In prisons, infection control standards for regulated and safer tattooing practices could prevent infections, while in residential aged care a nurse-led program can result in a significant reduction in antibiotic prescribing. In order to comply with national standards, there is an ever-expanding scope of work for infection control practitioners that will require an increase in resources to successfully achieve.

HI14016A nurse-led antimicrobial stewardship intervention in two residential aged care facilities

Rhonda L. Stuart, Elizabeth Orr, Despina Kotsanas and Elizabeth E. Gillespie
pp. 4-6

Antimicrobial stewardship in a residential aged care facility setting is of growing importance. In this pilot study, we found that a simple educational intervention, utilising an infection prevention nurse to drive the program, led to a significant reduction in antibiotic use in a residential aged care facility. Further research in this important area is justified.

HI14025Assessment of current antimicrobial stewardship policies and resources: a focus group project

Darren K. Pasay, Sheldon J. S. Chow, Lauren C. Bresee, Micheal Guirguis and Jeremy Slobodan
pp. 7-15

Describing the methods and results of a province-wide focus group project, the report revealed the participants’ perceptions of antimicrobial stewardship and formulary policies. Participants discussed the antimicrobial resources, influences, barriers, team approach, communication and educational needs, antimicrobial utilisation concerns, and enablers. This is the first qualitative analysis to target pharmacy services staff across a large organisation.

HI14022Evaluation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence assay to confirm surface disinfection of biological indicators with vaporised hydrogen peroxide (VHP)

Erica M. Colbert, Shawn G. Gibbs, Kendra K. Schmid, Robin High, John J. Lowe, Oleg Chaika and Philip W. Smith
pp. 16-22

This study examined if ATP bioluminescence assay could be used to evaluate biological indicators to confirm decontamination following vaporised hydrogen peroxide decontamination. A reduction in microorganisms was shown for culture-based methods, but ATP bioluminescence assay did not show a reduction. The ATP bioluminescence assay is not an effective alternate to culture-based methodologies for the confirmation of VHP decontamination.


The inappropriate use of antibiotics in the community is an important contributor towards antibiotic resistance globally. This study identified misperceptions about antibiotic use in Australian Chinese migrants which significantly increased the risk of self-medication with antibiotics. It is of public health significance that health professionals are aware of the practice of self-medication and associated attitudes and perceptions about antibiotic use in this growing population.


This study comprehensively describes the infection control professional workforce in Australia and New Zealand. It provides detail on ICP education levels, experience and highlights a diverse scope of practice. The results will help decision-makers to design and target strategies aimed at supporting infection control practice.


This report outlines the illicit use of hearing aid batteries as a power source for illicit prison tattooing. We advocate for the introduction of regulated tattoo parlours in prisons so as to minimise the risks of conflating important health interventions with risk activities and minimising the risks of bacterial or viral transmission.