Infection Prevention Services

03/03/2026

Partners in Care 🤝

Skin health is a team effort! We want families to understand that "the itch" is a common clinical reality, not a sign of poor hygiene.

Be Proactive: If you notice a new rash after visiting a resident, inform the IPC Lead immediately.

Laundry Safety: Use our industrial washers for resident clothing during outbreaks; domestic machines often don't reach the 60°C needed to kill mites.

Follow the signs: Always check with nursing staff before entering a room with "Contact Precautions".

By working together and reducing stigma, we ensure every resident remains comfortable and happy

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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02/03/2026

Breaking the Cycle ♻️

Treating one resident is not enough! The biggest failure in IPC is focusing on the resident but forgetting the staff.

The "Silent" Period: It takes 4–6 weeks for an itch to appear, meaning staff can spread mites before they even know they are infested.

The Synchronized Strike: All close contacts must be treated at the same time to prevent "ping-pong" infections.

Heat is the Killer: Wash all linens and clothing at 60°C and use a hot dryer for 20 minutes to eliminate mites living off the host.

Coordination is crucial for a successful outbreak "blitz".

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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27/02/2026

We kicked off our IP Leads Essentials for Success workshop in Hamilton this week! ✨

It was wonderful to be back in person and to officially launch this year’s workshops with such an engaged and passionate group of IP Leads.

Next stops: Christchurch, Auckland and Australia later this year!
Find out more and view upcoming dates: https://ipservices.care/ip-lead-essentials

If you’re an Infection Prevention Lead (or support one) and want practical, confidence-building education that translates directly into day-to-day practice, we’d love to see you there.

📣 Here’s what our attendees had to say…

27/02/2026

Scratching Beneath the Surface: Systemic Causes

What if there’s no rash? When a resident is scratching constantly but the skin appears normal, consider an "internal" cause.

Kidneys & Liver: "Uremic itch" from CKD or itching on the palms and soles of the feet from liver issues are prime clues.

Medication Check: Are they on new opioids, ACE inhibitors, or statins?

Nerve health: A burning feeling in one spot could be a neuropathic itch.

The skin acts as a window to internal health. Always review renal function (eGFR) and liver tests (LFTs) when the cause isn't visible.

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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26/02/2026

Spotting Scabies Early 🔍️

Why does the itch worsen at night? If a resident feels fine during the day but becomes distressed at 2:00 AM, parasites are the most likely cause.

Look closer: Check for small, pearly "burrows" in finger webs or wrists.

The "Super-Spreader": Watch for thick, scaly plaques (Crusted Scabies), which contain millions of mites and are highly infectious—even if they don't itch.

Early detection is vital. If two residents in the same wing begin scratching, treat it as an outbreak until proven otherwise. Prevention starts with a sharp eye!

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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25/02/2026

Tackling Dry Skin? 🤔

Is it just dry skin? In aged care, Xerosis is the most common cause of itching because ageing skin produces less sebum.

The Signs: Look for "crazy-paved" or flaky skin on shins and forearms.

The Trigger: It often flares up after hot showers or in environments with low humidity.

The Fix: Use "soap-free" washing and apply thick emollients within 3 minutes of drying.

Don't overlook simple fixes. Keeping residents hydrated and moisturised is the first line of defence in skin health.

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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31/10/2025

New Frontiers in Alzheimer's Treatment 💊

For years, Alzheimer's treatments mainly concentrated on managing symptoms by temporarily boosting neurotransmitter activity (e.g., Cholinesterase Inhibitors). Yet, recent breakthroughs offer new hope by targeting the disease's underlying pathology.

Disease-Modifying Therapies (DMTs), such as monoclonal antibodies (like lecanemab and donanemab), represent a major advancement. These treatments are designed to use the immune system to actively remove the toxic beta-amyloid protein deposits (plaques) from the brain. Clinical trials have demonstrated these anti-amyloid therapies can modestly slow the progression of cognitive decline in individuals with early-stage Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers are also exploring completely new approaches. This includes examining the connection between insulin resistance and brain function, sometimes referring to Alzheimer's as "Type 3 Diabetes," and testing existing drugs like Semaglutide to see if they can slow disease progression. Another area of focus is activating the brain’s natural "cleanup crew" immune cells, or microglia, to clear away debris and plaques.

💡 Key Takeaway: Newer treatments are targeting the disease's root cause, offering a path to slowing progression.

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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29/10/2025

The Two Proteins Involved with Alzheimer's

The progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is not just about aging; it is driven by specific biological processes that start in the brain many years before clinical symptoms become noticeable. The core pathology revolves around the abnormal build-up of two key proteins.

First, Amyloid Plaques are clumps formed by beta-amyloid protein fragments. These plaques build up outside the nerve cells (neurons) and interfere with essential cell communication. Second, Neurofibrillary Tangles are abnormal clusters of the protein called tau. Unlike plaques, tangles develop inside the neurons, disrupting the cell's vital internal transport system.

This combined protein damage leads to the loss of neuronal connections, resulting in the visible shrinkage of the brain, known as brain atrophy. The regions responsible for memory, such as the hippocampus, are usually affected first. Understanding these biological factors is essential for developing effective treatments.

💡 Key Takeaway: Alzheimer’s is a biological disease driven by the toxic accumulation of amyloid and tau proteins.

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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27/10/2025

Is It Dementia, Alzheimer's, or Just Aging? 🧠

Confusion often surrounds the terms dementia, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and normal ageing, yet distinguishing them is crucial for proper intervention. Dementia is a broad term describing a range of debilitating symptoms, such as memory loss or difficulty with language. The key factor for diagnosing dementia is the severity of impairment: the symptoms must be serious enough to interfere with daily life and independence. Dementia is usually progressive and tends to worsen over time.

AD is fundamentally different because it is a specific, progressive neurodegenerative disease. It is the most common single cause of dementia, accounting for an estimated 60–70% of cases.

In contrast, normal ageing involves mild and occasional changes, such as forgetting a word or misplacing keys. These minor variations are not severe enough to affect a person's ability to live independently, unlike dementia.

💡 Key Takeaway: Dementia impacts independence; normal aging does not.

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

24/10/2025

Crisis and Reform in Australian Aged Care

Australia’s aged care system faced a crisis after privatisation in 1997, which aimed to attract private, for-profit investment. The 1997 Aged Care Act limited total government spending while allowing providers to charge fees and bonds. A severe consequence was "cutting the nursing out of nursing homes. Nurse wages lagged behind those in public hospitals, leading to Registered Nurses being gradually replaced by personal care attendants. This occurred even as residents grew older, sicker, and more dependent, with 50–70% suffering from cognitive impairment. Regulatory oversight also weakened. This systemic failure led to the Aged Care Royal Commission, whose interim report was titled "Neglect," confirming widespread dysfunction, abuse, and declining standards. Experts have now called for a new, comprehensive Human Rights-based Aged Care Act, which is due to come into effect on November 1. This will promote transparency and accountability for older Australians.

💡 Key Takeaway Message: The Australian aged care crisis highlights the urgent need for systems to focus on specialised staffing and human rights rather than profit, requiring thorough reform.

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

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22/10/2025

From Charity to Clinical Care 🤝

The modern nursing home industry was unintentionally formed by major legislative changes in the 20th century. In Australia and the US, laws introducing non-contributory pensions and preventing the use of government funding for residents in public almshouses forced elderly and disabled people to seek care elsewhere. This financial constraint inadvertently "gave birth to the modern nursing home industry" by creating a financing system for private long-term care. After World War II, the shift to a medical model was reinforced. Postwar laws promoted hospital discharges once acute care finished, and the war highlighted rehabilitation. Private facilities quickly adapted, shifting away from charitable boarding houses to become part of hospital services, prioritising advanced clinical care.

💡 Key Takeaway message: Federal funding policies and post-war hospital efficiency led to the development of the private nursing home system by turning custodial long-term care into an outsourced function.

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

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20/10/2025

The Roots of Aged Care

The origins of modern aged care facilities lie not in medicine but in poverty and charity, dating back to almshouses or poorhouses. For centuries in Western societies, these institutions did not differentiate between the elderly and the generally poor. Residency was offered to the destitute, including those with physical or mental disabilities refused by early hospitals, as well as orphans and widows, leading to crowded, multi-generational environments. Before pensions (NZ 1898), the elderly relied on family or charity. By the 18th and 19th centuries, many almshouses in Europe and America became bleak, punitive places aimed at managing the poor at minimal public cost. The shift towards specialisation began with philanthropic efforts, such as the Te Hopai Trust in New Zealand (1888), which aimed to provide dignity to the elderly without family support.

💡 Key Takeaway Message: The origins of aged care were driven by poverty management, highlighting society's historical duty to house the destitute, regardless of age.

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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