Department of Health

The prevention and control of infections in health services is an integral part of quality and safety improvement, and clinical risk management.

While not all healthcare-associated infections can be prevented, the Department of Health & Human Services works with health services to ensure that systems are in place to minimise their occurrence.

Key components for the effective prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections are:

  • adherence to infection control guidelines and standards
  • effective surveillance and monitoring
  • judicious use of antibiotics
  • appropriate hospital design, cleaning and maintenance standards
  • sustainable hand hygiene program
  • healthcare worker immunisation for vaccine-preventable diseases.

Reviewed 20 September 2023

Health.vic

Contact details

Infection Prevention and Cleaning Manager, System Safety and Strategy GPO Box 4541, Melbourne , VIC 3001

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