Infection Prevention & Control / Antimicrobioal Stewardship

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) affect approximately 160,000 patients in Australia each year. Non-ventilator hospital-associated pneumonia (HAP) is the most common type, accounting for nearly one-third of HAIs. HAP leads to longer hospital stays, increased morbidity and mortality, and higher healthcare costs. Patients with HAP are eight times more likely to die in hospital than similar patients without it.

The HAPPEN study (Hospital Acquired Pneumonia PrEveNtion: A randomised control trial) will investigate whether improving the quality and frequency of oral care can reduce the incidence of pneumonia in hospitalised patients.

Click here to find out more about the HAPPEN study.

HAIs are often linked to the use of shared medical equipment. The CLEEN study (CLEaning and ENhanced Disinfection) is a randomised controlled trial conducted in Gosford. It tested whether  improved cleaning of shared equipment could help prevent HAIs. The study showed that additional cleaning time, staff training, and regular checks on cleaning quality reduced infection rates. This research provides new evidence that simple improvements in cleaning practices can significantly enhance patient safety.
Click here to find out more about the CLEEN study. 

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common complication for people who use intermittent catheters, leading to discomfort, hospital visits, and increased antibiotic use. The CATION study (Chlorhexidine Against The Infection Of the Nephron) is a randomised controlled trial testing whether using a chlorhexidine solution instead of saline to clean the urinary opening before catheter use can help prevent UTIs. The study will also look at cost-effectiveness and patient experiences.
Click here to find out more about the CATION trial. 

Antibiotic resistance is becoming a serious health problem around the world. In Australia alone, it's already linked to around 1,600 deaths each year. Experts warn that by 2050, antibiotic resistance could cause more deaths than cancer. Yet in 2019, more than 10 million Australians received antibiotics. Many were prescribed for common colds and other respiratory infections, for which antibiotics don't actually help.

The EASSI-PC study (Evidence-based Antimicrobial Stewardship: Sustainable Implementation in Primary Care) is working to raise awareness among doctors and patients about the risks of overusing antibiotics and to share safer, more effective alternatives. By cutting back on unnecessary prescriptions, the study aims to slow the rise of antibiotic resistance and help protect the effectiveness of these important medicines.

Many healthcare-associated infections are caused by germs picked up during a hospital stay. Figuring out exactly where these germs come from can be tricky. One surprising possibility is the hospital sink, even the ones inside patients' rooms. These sinks can sometimes harbour bacteria that may spread and cause illness.

The InSync Study is looking into this issue by exploring what types of bacteria are found in hospital sinks and whether certain cleaning products work better than others. The goal is to find cleaning solutions that are not only effective at killing germs, but also safe for hospital cleaning staff to use regularly and practical in a busy hospital environment. By understanding more about how bacteria spread and how to stop them, the study aims to make hospitals safer for everyone.