Department of Health

Key messages

  • In December 2019, carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter spp (CPA) and carbapenemase-producing Pseudomonas spp (CPP) isolates were made notifiable. This was in addition to carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) which were made notifiable in 2017.
  • The Victorian guideline on carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPO) for residential care facilities (RCFs), Version 1.0 replaces the previous guideline for RCFs, that is, Victorian guideline on CPE for long-term residential care facilities, and includes management requirements for CPE, CPA and CPP.
  • This guideline applies to all RCFs in Victoria.
  • The term 'RCF' refers to any public or private aged care, disability services or other congruent accommodation setting in Victoria where residents are provided with personal care or healthcare by facility staff.
  • The recommendations in this guideline are relevant for a wide range of health professionals, including medical staff, nursing and allied health staff, personal care attendants and disability support staff.

The Victorian guideline on CPO for RCFs contains the following information:

  • background to CPOs in Victoria
  • governance requirements, which includes roles and responsibilities for RCFs, the Department of Health and Local Public Health Units
  • screening, detection and investigation requirements for CPO
  • infection prevention and control management strategies for CPO
  • actions required in the event of an outbreak of CPO in an RCF.

Appendix C of the guideline includes a sample self-audit checklist for RCFs to help determine compliance with general infection prevention and control measures, as well as specific CPO infection control requirements.

Templates, forms and other supporting resources referred to within the guideline are available to be downloaded below.

Victorian guideline on CPO for RCFs, Version 1.0

CPO surveillance data collection forms

The following form is to be used for all confirmed human CPO isolates. When completed, forms are to be faxed to the department on 1300 651 170

Enquiries may be directed to amr.secretariat@health.vic.gov.au

Patient, staff and clinician information sheets

Reviewed 13 November 2023

Health.vic

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