Infection Prevention Services

26/09/2025

Recognise the Signs of Sepsis and Act FAST!

Sepsis is a medical emergency where every minute matters. Recognising the symptoms can save a life. The signs may be subtle initially, but can worsen rapidly if ignored.

A useful way to recall the key signs is the SEPSIS acronym:

• Slurred speech or confusion

• Extreme shivering or muscle pain

• Passing no urine in a day

• Severe breathlessness

• It feels like you're going to die

• Skin that's mottled or discoloured

Other common symptoms include fever, rapid heartbeat, clammy skin, and severe body pains. In the elderly, a typical fever might not be present; instead, watch for sudden confusion or lethargy. In children, look for rapid breathing, seizures, or difficulty waking. If you suspect sepsis, head to an emergency department or call emergency services immediately.

💡 Key Takeaway: If you notice a combination of these signs, especially after an infection, seek medical help immediately and ask, "Could it be sepsis?"

Access the full blogs associated with these posts on the HUB, the IPS website : https://lnkd.in/g3uqxUHP

For more information, talk to EVE, our information bot or contact our friendly team at support@infectioncontrol.care

25/09/2025

Are You at Risk for Sepsis? Know the Factors ❌

While anyone can develop sepsis from an infection, some people are at a significantly higher risk. Recognising these risk factors is an essential part of prevention.

Age is a significant factor, with adults aged 65 or over and children under five (particularly babies under one) being especially vulnerable. Pregnant women and those who have recently given birth also face higher risks due to changes in their immune systems.

Your overall health is very important. People with weakened immune systems—due to conditions like HIV or cancer treatments—are more at risk. Chronic health issues like diabetes, kidney disease, or lung disease also reduce the body’s ability to fight infections. Lastly, recent hospital stays, surgeries, or surviving a previous bout of sepsis all increase your risk.

💡 Key Takeaway: Your age, health conditions, and medical history can raise your risk of sepsis.

Access the full blogs associated with these posts on the HUB, the IPS website : https://lnkd.in/g3uqxUHP

For more information, talk to EVE, our information bot or contact our friendly team at support@infectioncontrol.care

24/09/2025

📣 Join us on 23rd October for our FREE upcoming webinar

Strengthening Safety: What the New AU Aged Care Standards Mean for IP Leads

Discover what the new Strengthened AU Aged Care Quality Standards (commencing November 2025) mean in practice for Infection Prevention Leads. In this session, we’ll walk through the key changes, highlight what’s new for infection prevention and control, and answer your questions in a live Q&A.

📅 Date: 23 October

⏱ Duration: 40 minute Webinar + Q&A

💻 Where: Microsoft Teams

Don’t miss this opportunity to get ahead of the changes and strengthen your facility’s safety and compliance. Register via the link below!

8d4e2b50-6b1a-4488-8559-cbdd71499522@450559c5-0658-4ea2-b3b6-351ed1c4d065" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/8d4e2b50-6b1a-4488-8559-cbdd71499522@450559c5-0658-4ea2-b3b6-351ed1c4d065

24/09/2025

Sepsis by the Numbers: A Hidden Global Killer ⏱️

Sepsis is a global health crisis hiding in plain sight. It remains one of the most common causes of death globally, taking a life every 3 seconds. Recent figures show a staggering 48.9 million cases and 11 million sepsis-related deaths each year, making up 20% of all global deaths.

The most affected are the vulnerable. Nearly half of all cases worldwide—around 20 million—occur in children under five. Sepsis also significantly contributes to maternal and neonatal deaths. Although anyone can be affected, lower to middle-income countries carry the highest burden. Even in high-income nations, the cost of treatment is enormous, averaging over $32,000 per patient. These figures highlight the urgent need for improved prevention, awareness, and treatment strategies to combat this deadly illness and achieve global health targets.

💡 Key Takeaway: Sepsis is a leading cause of preventable death worldwide, impacting millions annually.

Access the full blogs associated with these posts on the HUB, the IPS website : https://lnkd.in/g3uqxUHP

For more information, talk to EVE, our information bot or contact our friendly team at support@infectioncontrol.care

23/09/2025

What Is Sepsis? It’s Not Just an Infection

Many people wrongly think that sepsis is just a severe infection. In fact, sepsis is the body's extreme and dangerous reaction to an infection. When your immune system goes into overdrive to combat an infection, it can trigger a chain reaction that harms your own tissues and organs.

Any infection can cause sepsis, whether bacterial, viral, or fungal. It can originate anywhere in the body, such as the lungs, urinary tract, or skin. If not treated quickly, this systemic emergency can result in serious complications like tissue damage, multiple organ failure, and a life-threatening condition called septic shock. That's why sepsis is a medical emergency requiring immediate action. Early recognition is crucial to prevent the most severe outcomes.

💡 Key Takeaway: Sepsis isn't the infection itself, but your body’s overwhelming response to it.

Access the full blogs associated with these posts on the HUB, the IPS website : https://lnkd.in/g3uqxUHP

For more information, talk to EVE, our information bot or contact our friendly team at support@infectioncontrol.care

19/09/2025

Building Resilience: Strategies for Support and Prevention

Combating burnout and compassion fatigue requires a two-pronged approach. On an individual level, prioritising self-care (sleep, diet, hobbies), setting boundaries, seeking peer and professional support, and practising mindfulness are essential. Organisations also need to foster a supportive culture by recognising grief, providing adequate resources and training, creating psychologically safe spaces, empowering staff to have a voice, and offering EAPs and peer support. "Telling staff to take care of themselves isn't enough".

💡 Key Takeaway: Your well-being is essential, not a luxury. A shared commitment to supportive environments safeguards our valued aged care workforce.

Access the full blogs associated with these posts on the HUB, the IPS website : https://lnkd.in/g3uqxUHP

For more information, talk to EVE, our information bot or contact our friendly team at support@infectioncontrol.care

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17/09/2025

Why Aged Care Workers Are Vulnerable: Unpacking the Causes

Aged care workers face unique challenges that increase the risk of burnout and compassion fatigue. Heavy workloads, staff shortages, and a lack of essential resources (such as PPE during crises) are major contributors. The emotional strain of constantly witnessing residents' decline, illness, and death, often with unrecognised grief, is significant. Moreover, feeling isolated, undervalued, or having no say in workplace decisions greatly heightens stress.

💡 Key Takeaway: Burnout is frequently a systemic problem, not an individual fault. Pushing for better resources and supportive workplaces is vital.

Access the full blogs associated with these posts on the HUB, the IPS website : https://lnkd.in/g3uqxUHP

For more information, talk to EVE, our information bot or contact our friendly team at support@infectioncontrol.care

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15/09/2025

Understanding Burnout: More Than Just Being Tired 😴

Our dedicated aged care workers are the backbone of support for elderly residents. However, many face a serious challenge: burnout, a condition caused by ongoing workplace stress. It's marked by emotional exhaustion, a negative or detached attitude towards work, and a diminished sense of personal achievement. Research indicates that burnout rates can be as high as 30-50% in residential and home care settings. This isn't just about feeling exhausted; it affects both the well-being of carers and the quality of care they deliver.

💡 Key Takeaway: Recognise the signs of burnout in yourself and others. It's a serious occupational phenomenon, not a sign of weakness.

Access the full blogs associated with these posts on the HUB, the IPS website : https://lnkd.in/g3uqxUHP

For more information, talk to EVE, our information bot or contact our friendly team at support@infectioncontrol.care

12/09/2025

Beyond the Jab: A Holistic Approach to 2026 Flu Season 🏡

While vaccination is crucial, preparing for the 2026 flu season in Australia and New Zealand requires a comprehensive plan. Besides achieving high vaccination rates, particularly with improved vaccines for older adults, additional preventative measures are vital. These include:

• Practising good hand hygiene.

• Focusing on air quality and ventilation within facilities.

• Most importantly, staying home from work or school when feeling unwell is essential. This is vital for healthcare personnel to prevent transmission to vulnerable residents.

Addressing barriers such as appointment difficulties or inconvenient hours through tailored campaigns and outreach services, especially for housebound individuals, is a crucial public health goal. A proactive and comprehensive approach that combines individual responsibility with accessible public health initiatives will be the most effective strategy.

💡 Key Takeaway: Vaccination, hand hygiene, good ventilation, and staying home when sick are all vital layers of defence for a safe 2026 flu season.

Access the full blogs associated with these posts on the HUB, the IPS website : https://lnkd.in/g3uqxUHP

For more information, talk to EVE, our information bot or contact our friendly team at support@infectioncontrol.care

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11/09/2025

Vaccination: Our Primary Defence for 2026 💉

Annual influenza vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent flu and its complications. For the 2026 season in Australia and New Zealand, this is especially important for aged care residents due to the identified "immunity gap". The health services in both countries offer free flu vaccines to eligible groups, including all adults aged 65 and over.

Crucially, enhanced vaccines for older adults, such as the adjuvanted Fluad Quad, are recommended over standard-dose options for those aged 65 and above to deliver a stronger immune response. The UK's Winter 2025/26 Vaccination Programme, for instance, highlights prioritising residents in older adult care homes and those who are housebound for vaccination. It also seeks to align adult flu and COVID-19 vaccination start dates to enable co-administration where suitable.

💡 Key Takeaway: Prioritising annual flu vaccination, especially enhanced vaccines for older adults, is our best defence against the 2026 season.

Access the full blogs associated with these posts on the HUB, the IPS website : https://lnkd.in/g3uqxUHP

For more information, talk to EVE, our information bot or contact our friendly team at support@infectioncontrol.care

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10/09/2025

The "Immunity Gap": A Call for Vigilance in Aged Care in 2026 🚨

For Australia and New Zealand, there's a strong reason to exercise caution, but not panic, regarding the 2026 flu season. While precise predictions of severity aren't possible, experts point to a significant concern: a widespread "immunity gap" within our population. Since 2019, due to closed borders and pandemic measures, the Southern Hemisphere hasn't experienced a typical flu season. This has resulted in a notable decline in population-level immunity.

For aged care residents, this "immunity gap" makes a strong case for a potentially severe flu season. Even if the dominant strain isn't more virulent, lower immunity could cause more infections, hospital admissions, and serious outcomes. The reopening of international borders might reintroduce high-impact strains like H3N2 seen in the US. As one expert noted, "it's always a bad flu season because it's hospitalising and killing people."

💡 Key Takeaway: Our collective lowered immunity highlights the importance of proactive preparedness and strong protection for older adults in 2026.

Access the full blogs associated with these posts on the HUB, the IPS website : https://lnkd.in/g3uqxUHP

For more information, talk to EVE, our information bot or contact our friendly team at support@infectioncontrol.care

10/09/2025

🚐 The IPC Roadshow kicks off next week in Whanganui!

This one-day workshop gives aged care leaders the tools to drive real behaviour change, embed IPC into daily routines, and lift audit outcomes.

6 CPD hours, toolkits, expert facilitators, and practical resources included.

📍 Find your nearest workshop in NZ and join us on the road.
👉 https://ipservices.care/ipc-roadshow