Infection Prevention Services

10/03/2026

Winter Preparedness in Aged Care - The Human Element: Wellbeing and Staffing 🧑‍🤝‍🧑

The "Green Zone" Strategy: Implement a "Cohort but Connect" model where only affected wings are isolated, while "Green Zones" (unaffected wings) continue with social programming.

Staff Wellness: Implement clear "Stay Home if Unwell" policies and develop contingency plans for high absenteeism to prevent "presenteeism".

Supply Resilience: Stock a 30-day buffer of shelf-stable nutritional supplements and a 4-week "surge" supply of PPE.
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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09/03/2026

Winter Preparedness in Aged Care - IPC Operations and Daily Care 🧼

The "5 Moments" 2.0: Place special emphasis on resident hand hygiene, especially before meals and after social activities.

Winter Hydration: Establish hydration stations with warm teas and soups, as residents often lose their "thirst trigger" in the cold.

Waste Management: Review how often clinical waste is collected to manage the higher volume of infectious waste during winter.

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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06/03/2026

Winter Preparedness in Aged Care

Proactive preparation is the difference between a managed season and a crisis. By prioritising diagnostic speed, air quality, and social connection, Australasian facilities can transition to a model of total "Respiratory Readiness”.

Environmental & Engineering Controls 🌏️ 🛠️

"Cleaning the Air": Management should ensure HVAC systems deliver 6–12 air changes per hour or implement HEPA filtration in high-traffic areas such as staff rooms and foyers.

Thermal Comfort: Keep indoor temperatures steady between 21°C and 23°C and humidity levels from 40% to 60% to avoid respiratory strain.

Lighting and Falls: Improve lighting and ensure bathroom sensor lights are functional to reduce the risk of falls during shorter winter days.

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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05/03/2026

Winter Preparedness in Aged Care 🤧

Proactive preparation is the difference between a managed season and a crisis. By prioritising diagnostic speed, air quality, and social connection, Australasian facilities can transition to a model of total "Respiratory Readiness”.

Clinical Governance & Preventive Health

Antiviral Pre-Stocking: Implement "pre-consenting" for antivirals so treatment can start within the crucial 24-hour window after the first symptom.

Multiplex Testing: utilise 3-in-1 rapid antigen tests (COVID/Flu/RSV) to identify pathogens within 15 minutes and ensure accurate isolation.

Baseline Monitoring: Ensure "normal" baselines for temperature and oxygen saturation are kept current in digital care plans for all residents.

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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04/03/2026

Winter Preparedness in Aged Care ❄️

Proactive preparation is the difference between a managed season and a crisis. By prioritising diagnostic speed, air quality, and social connection, Australasian facilities can transition to a model of total "Respiratory Readiness”.

Global Insights: Learning from the Northern Hemisphere

USA & Canada: Facilities are adopting "Syndromic Surveillance," monitoring "influenza-like illnesses" (ILI) to prompt staffing changes before an official outbreak is declared.

Europe: There is a notable move towards "engineering controls," like CO₂-monitored ventilation, to lower viral loads without the need for ward lockdowns.

Ireland & The UK: To combat vaccine fatigue, facilities are "bundling" vaccinations, co-administering Flu, COVID-19, and RSV shots in single sessions.

Success Factor: Evidence suggests that "the most successful facilities weren't those with the strictest lockdowns, but those with the highest diagnostic speed."

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

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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