Advice for aged care services on managing acute respiratory infections (ARI)

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Information and resources for aged care services including residential aged care facilities (RACFs), Commonwealth Home Support Programme, assessment services, home care package providers, multi-purpose services, respite care and transition care.

Residents of aged care facilities​ are at increased risk of getting acute respiratory infections (ARI) and are at higher risk of severe illness if they do become infected.

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    Roles and responsibilities in managing Acute Respira​tory Infection (ARI) outbreaks in residential aged care facilities (RACFs)  

    Commonwealth Government

    Department of Health and Aged Care  

    Provides funding for aged care services and supports RACFs to manage ARI outbreaks. 

    Responsibilities include:

    • Support capacity of provider to manage outbreaks
    • Provide advice on accessing resources for outbreak management, including surge workforce and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), where required.
    • Provide grant funding, where available, to eligible RACFs to assist in managing the cost of the outbreak, 
    • Liaise with Primary Health Networks to provide access to local primary care support options and general practitioners to maintain continuity of care, where needed.

    Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission  

    Provides regulatory oversight of RACFs to protect and enhance the safety, health, well-being and quality of life of people residing in the RACF.  

    Responsibilities include:  

    • Provide guidance and advice to support the provider's compliance with relevant Commonwealth legislation 
    • Monitor compliance with the Aged Care Act 1997 and Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018 
    • Work with the provider to resolve complaints received.  

    NSW Health

    NSW Health – Ministry of Health  

    Provides advice to Public Health Units (PHUs) and Aged Care Providers about management of ARIs.  

    Responsibilities include:  

    • Provide up to date surveillance information about prevalence of ARIs in NSW    
    • Provide updated public health advice to Aged Care Providers. 

    Clinical Excellence Commission 

    Provides expertise in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) to manage and monitor the prevention and control of healthcare associated infections and outbreaks. 

    Responsibilities include:  

    Developing guidance on IPC and ensuring better patient safety quality care.

    Local Health District Public Health Unit 

    PHUs are the point of notification for two or more cases of ARI and may provide outbreak management advice.  

    Responsibilities include:  

    • Support access to specialist clinical care of residents by providing advice and/or access to services where needed (e.g. geriatrics, infectious diseases, palliative care) through existing local pathways. 
    • Record known ARI outbreaks in RACFs in notifiable disease surveillance systems
    • Provide advice to RACFs on case and contact management, including isolating and cohorting residents, and support the RACF IPC lead/s as required.

    Aged Care Provider 

    Supports the safety, care and wellbeing of residents and staff as required by the Aged Care Act 1997.  

    Responsibilities include:  

    • Lead and manage outbreak response to ARI and implementation of the RACF Outbreak Management Plan (OMP). This includes ensuring adequate capacity and resources in preparedness and management of outbreaks in RACFs
    • Notify and liaise with the local health district PHU and the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care of positive COVID-19 test results (PCR and RAT) as required
    • Ensuring staff always have appropriate and ongoing IPC training and skills
    • Communicating regularly with residents, families, and stakeholders to update on outbreak/exposure, including PHUs as necessary
    • Ensuring OMPs are in place and current. This includes procurement of infection control supplies and access to testing (e.g. rapid antigen tests). 

    Additional resources​

    Senior Australians, their families and carers can call the OPAN Older Australians COVID-19 Support Line on 1800 700 600.

    Current as at: Friday 6 December 2024
    Contact page owner: Strategic Policy and Program Support