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Quality Standards Resource Centre

The Quality Standards Resource Centre helps extend understanding of the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, which took effect from 1 November 2025. You can search for resources by using keywords, or filtering by standard, outcome and audience. Before using the Resource Centre, please read the terms of use.

Displaying 81 to 100 of 130 result(s)
/quality-standards/5-moments-hand-hygiene

5 Moments for Hand Hygiene

Guidance
Published date

This resource explains the 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene, a framework designed to minimise the risk of infection transmission in healthcare. It outlines key moments when hand hygiene should be performed, including before and after patient contact or procedures, and after touching a patient’s surroundings. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
/quality-standards/user-guide-clinical-pathway-older-people-aged-care-homes-suspected-urinary-tract-infections

User guide to the Clinical Pathway for older people in aged care homes: suspected urinary tract infections

Guides
Published date
Last Updated

This user guide relates to the 'Clinical Pathway for older people in aged care homes: suspected urinary tract infections (UTIs)'.

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
Elderly man with walker and cap, a younger man has his hand on his shoulder while they walk
/quality-standards/clinical-pathways-suspected-utis-forms

Clinical pathways for suspected UTIs forms

Tool
Published date
Last Updated

These clinical forms are part of the 'Clinical Pathway for older people in aged care homes: suspected urinary tract infections (UTIs)'.

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
Form with multiple tables and boxes
/quality-standards/joint-letter-cmo-and-commissioner-board-chairs-winter-preparedness-2025

Joint letter from CMO and Commissioner to Board Chairs on winter preparedness 2025

Guidance, Letters
Published date

Joint letter from the Chief Medical Officer Professor Anthony Lawler and Commissioner Liz Hefren-Webb to Board Chairs, Residential Aged Care Providers on winter preparedness in residential aged care.

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
Joint letter from CMO and Commissioner to Board Chairs on winter preparedness 2025
/quality-standards/infection-prevention-and-control-aged-care

Infection prevention and control in aged care

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource is a collection of resources on infection prevention and control (IPC) for aged care service providers and staff. It includes guidelines, IPC posters and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) fact sheets.

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
 

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
Infection prevention and control in aged care
/quality-standards/fact-sheet-improving-antimicrobial-prescribing-through-selective-reporting-antimicrobials

Fact sheet - Improving antimicrobial prescribing through selective reporting of antimicrobials

Fact sheet
Published date
Last Updated

This fact sheet provides guidance on improving antimicrobial prescribing through selective reporting of antimicrobials for health service organisations and primary care providers. It includes information on diagnostic stewardship, definitions and the importance of selective reporting and other relevant information to support organisations and providers. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
 

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
Fact sheet - Improving antimicrobial prescribing through selective reporting of antimicrobials
/quality-standards/infection-prevention-control-resources

Infection prevention & control resources

Guidance

This resource provides guidance on infection prevention and control for aged care providers, outlining responsibilities to make sure safety and minimise infection risks. It covers the development of infection control programs, training requirements, governance, and compliance with national standards, supporting the delivery of safe, high-quality care in residential aged care settings. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 July 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 4: The Environment
Outcomes
5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services, 4.2: Infection prevention and control
Infection prevention & control
/quality-standards/implementing-comprehensive-care-standard-clinical-assessment-and-diagnosis

Implementing the Comprehensive Care Standard - Clinical assessment and diagnosis

Guidance
Published date

This document provides guidance on implementing the clinical assessment and diagnosis element of the Comprehensive Care Standard (National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards). It helps clinicians identify a person’s conditions or needs through examination and investigation. The resource supports safe, patient-centred care, improving diagnostic accuracy and promoting teamwork in healthcare settings, including aged care. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
5.4: Comprehensive care, 3.1 Assessment and planning
Implementing the Comprehensive Care Standard - Clinical assessment and diagnosis
/quality-standards/comprehensive-care-element-5-deliver-comprehensive-care-actions-health-service-organisations

Comprehensive Care - Element 5: Deliver comprehensive care - Actions for health service organisations

Fact sheet
Published date

This resource outlines the key actions for health service organisations to deliver comprehensive care. It ensures care is provided continuously and collaboratively, aligning with the patient’s diagnoses, goals, and care plan. It promotes a person-centred, multidisciplinary approach, with staff training to support comprehensive care delivery. Applicable to multiple settings, including aged care. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
5.4: Comprehensive care, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services
Comprehensive Care - Element 5: Deliver comprehensive care - Actions for health service organisations
/quality-standards/implementing-comprehensive-care-standard-review-and-improve-comprehensive-care-delivery

Implementing the Comprehensive Care Standard - Review and improve comprehensive care delivery

Guidance
Published date

This resource provides guidance for reviewing and improving comprehensive care delivery. It outlines how to assess if care meets clinical and personal needs, mitigates risks, and achieves intended outcomes. Relevant to aged care, it helps clinicians and managers implement continuous quality improvement in care delivery processes. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services, 5.4: Comprehensive care
Implementing the Comprehensive Care Standard - Review and improve comprehensive care delivery
/quality-standards/racgp-aged-care-clinical-guide-silver-book-part-b-anticipatory-care

RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Anticipatory care

Guidance
Last Updated

This guide outlines anticipatory care planning for older adults, focusing on proactive and person-centred approaches. It details triggers for care planning, identifying vulnerability, medication management, and the use of 'as needed' (PRN) medicines for various conditions like allergic reactions, asthma, diabetes, falls, and palliative care. It includes specific recommendations for developing individualised care plans and appropriate interventions for maintaining health and quality of life.

Author
External resource
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 3: The Care and Services, 4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1a: Environment – services delivered in the individual’s home, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services, 5.4: Comprehensive care
RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Anticipatory care
/quality-standards/racgp-aged-care-clinical-guide-silver-book-part-b-older-people-rural-and-remote-communities

RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Older people in rural and remote communities

Guidance
Last Updated

This guide discusses providing aged care in rural and remote communities, focusing on the unique needs of older residents, the role of GPs in care coordination, and overcoming challenges like limited services and workforce shortages. It covers building telehealth connections, establishing collaborative care models, and offers a checklist for newly arrived GPs to support quality care for older adults.

Author
External resource
Standard
4: The Environment, 2: The Organisation, 3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.4: Comprehensive care, 2.8: Workforce planning, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services
RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Older people in rural and remote communities
/quality-standards/racgp-aged-care-clinical-guide-silver-book-part-infection-and-sepsis

RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part A - Infection and sepsis

Guidance
Last Updated

This guide provides information on preventing and managing infections and sepsis in aged care settings. It includes recommendations on vaccination, antibiotic stewardship, recognising symptoms, and managing conditions such as respiratory, urinary tract, skin, and gastrointestinal infections. It also covers risk assessment, treatment considerations, and the role of general practitioners in infection control.

Author
External resource
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part A - Infection and sepsis
/quality-standards/aseptic-technique

Aseptic technique

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides information on aseptic techniques to support service provides adapt practices to protect patients from healthcare-associated infections and healthcare workers from contact with blood, body fluid and body tissue. It provides guides for implementation, principles of aseptic technique and safe use of chlorhexidine. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 July 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
Aseptic technique
/quality-standards/amr-antimicrobial-resistance

AMR - Antimicrobial resistance

Guidance

The AMR provides information on antimicrobial resistance and it's threats to human and animal health. It contains information on how to reduce it's spread, news, AMR resources and other resources on antimicrobial resistance.

Author
External resource
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
AMR - Antimicrobial resistance
/quality-standards/infection-prevention-and-control-poster-airborne-precautions-poster

Infection Prevention and Control Poster - Airborne precautions poster

Poster
Published date

This poster outlines airborne precautions, in addition to standard precautions, for infection prevention and control. It provides guidance on preventing transmission of infectious agents through airborne droplet nuclei using personal protective equipment (PPE), negative pressure rooms, and limiting patient movement to reduce infection risks​. 

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
Infection Prevention and Control Poster - Airborne precautions poster
/quality-standards/infection-prevention-and-control-poster-combined-airborne-and-contact-precautions

Infection Prevention and Control Poster – Combined airborne and contact precautions

Poster
Published date

This poster provides guidance on combined airborne and contact precautions for infection prevention and control. It includes information on using personal protective equipment (PPE) and other measures to minimise the spread of infectious agents transmitted through both airborne particles and direct contact. 

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
Infection Prevention and Control Poster – Combined airborne and contact precautions
/quality-standards/break-chain-infection-poster

Break The Chain of Infection Poster

Poster
Published date

This poster outlines key steps to break the chain of infection, including staying home if unwell, physical distancing, frequent handwashing, cleaning surfaces, and covering coughs or sneezes. It aims to prevent the spread of respiratory infections and supports infection prevention practices in healthcare settings. 

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
Break The Chain of Infection Poster
/quality-standards/goal-setting

Goal setting

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource discusses the role of goal setting in enhancing rehabilitation, reablement, and restorative care for older people. It highlights the value of involving older people in defining goals and the positive impact of goal setting on engagement, daily function, and quality of life.

Author
External resource
Standard
1: The Individual, 3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
1.3: Choice, independence and quality of life, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services, 5.4: Comprehensive care
Goal setting
/quality-standards/national-infection-control-guidance-non-tuberculous-mycobacterium-infections-associated-heater-cooler-devices

National Infection Control Guidance Non-tuberculous Mycobacterium infections associated with heater-cooler devices

Guidance
Published date

This guidance addresses the infection risks associated with heater-cooler devices, particularly Non-tuberculous Mycobacterium infections. It provides recommendations for Australian healthcare organisations on managing these risks, including using safety notices and infection control guidelines. It should be used alongside state and territory health advice​. This resource may apply to healthcare contexts outside of aged care and please consider the applicability of this resource to your care setting.

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
National Infection Control Guidance Non-tuberculous Mycobacterium infections associated with heater-cooler devices