A - D E - H I - L M - P Q - T U - Z

Antibiotics

Substances that kill bacteria or inhibit the growth of bacteria
A

Antibody

A protein produced by the body’s immune system that destroys infections and other harmful microorganisms

Antimicrobial

A chemical substance that inhibits or destroys bacteria, viruses or fungi, and can be safely administered to human and animals

Antimicrobial Resistance

A microorganism that causes an infection that has developed resistance to the medication used to treat it.

Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS)

The responsible management and use of antimicrobials. Facilities may have AMS programs which involve a range of activities to ensure the appropriate use of antimicrobials.

Antimicrobial use surveillance

An important element of AMS programs is to monitor the volume and types of antimicrobials being administered.

Aseptic Technique

A set of practices aimed at minimising contamination; specifically used to protect the older person from infection during procedures.  Many of the other work practices that form standard precautions are required for aseptic techniques; however, adherence to these practices alone does not constitute aseptic technique. Sterile single-use equipment or instruments must be used according to manufacturer's instructions and in such a way that the sterility of the item is maintained.

Audits

A systematic review of clinical care against a predetermined set of criteria

Australian Immunisation Handbook

Provides recommendations on which diseases aged and healthcare organisations should prioritise in their workforce screening and vaccination programs

Benchmark

A validated measure that may be used for comparison provided data are collected in the same way as that of the benchmark data. Benchmarks are used to compare HAI rates to data that use the same definitions for infection and are appropriately adjusted for patient risk factors so that meaningful comparisons can be made. Comparing HAI rates to a validated benchmark will indicate whether the rates are below or above the recognized average.
B

Carer

A person who provides personal care, support and assistance to another individual who needs it because they have a disability, medical condition (including a terminal or chronic illness) or mental illness, or they are frail or aged.  An individual is not a carer merely because they are a spouse, de facto partner, parent, child, other relative or guardian of an individual who requires care.  A person is not considered a carer if they are paid, a volunteer for an organisation, or caring as part of training or education program. 
C

Clinical care

Care that includes the prevention, treatment and management of illness or injury, as well as the maintenance of psychosocial, mental and physical well-being.

Clinical waste

Waste material that consists wholly or partly of human or animal tissue, blood or body substances, excretions, drugs or other pharmaceutical products, swabs/dressings, syringes, needles or other sharp instruments.

Clostridioides difficile infection

A disease of the large intestine caused by toxins produced by the spore forming bacterium clostridioides difficile

Colonisation

A germ or pathogen is present on a persons’ body, but not causing infection. The person may be at a higher risk of being infected due to the presence of the organism

Community-based care

Formal long-term care (LTC) provided and organized at community level; for example, in the form of adult day care centres, day hospice centres or recreational or community centres.

Competency Assessment

The verification of IPC competency through the use of knowledge-based testing and direct observation. If direct observation is not included as part of a competency assessment, an alternative method to ensure that staff possess essential knowledge, skills, and abilities should be used.

Consumer

A consumer is someone who will use a service or program. In the case of NISPAC, consumers are largely aged care workers and management as they will be directly using the program, it also includes residents and carers. Each of these consumers will have a different experience with NISPAC because they are engaged with it in different capacities.

Continuous quality improvement

As per the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, continuous quality improvement is a systematic, ongoing effort to raise an organisation’s performance in achieving outcomes for older people under the Aged Care Quality Standards.

Denominator

The lower portion of a fraction used to calculate a rate or ratio. The number of persons in the population during the observation period. Denominators should be limited to the “population at risk” (i.e., persons who have potential to develop the disease and be included in the numerator).
D