Infection prevention and control

Victorian health services are dedicated to delivering safe, efficient and effective healthcare to the community. There are prevention and control programs implemented to help protect patients and healthcare workers from infections.

Tap the buttons below for specific data about infection prevention and control in Victorian health services, including information on hand hygiene compliance. You can filter by health service.

Scroll further down for more information about the data (measures).

About the data

The above measures look at:

  • healthcare workers immunised for influenza (flu)
  • hand hygiene compliance achieved.

About percentage of healthcare workers immunised for influenza (flu)

High rates of immunisation among health practitioners is essential in reducing the risk of influenza transmission in health services.

Data cover permanent, temporary and casual employees who worked one or more shifts at a Victorian public health service/hospital during the annual influenza vaccination campaign.

The 2023–24 and 2024-25 statewide targets have not been finalised.

Data are reported annually in the July-September quarter.

About percentage of hand hygiene compliance achieved

Hand hygiene is essential for preventing healthcare associated infections in both patients and healthcare workers.

While hand hygiene compliance data are released quarterly, data is collected during three audit periods outside the defined quarters of this report. Victorian health providers report compliance with the '5 Moments of Hand Hygiene' Program to Hand Hygiene Australia across three audit periods:

  • Audit period 1: 1 November to 31 March
  • Audit period 2: 1 April to 30 June (Non-mandatory)*
  • Audit period 3: 1 July to 31 October

*As of 1 April 2023, hand hygiene audit period 2 became voluntary. A reduction in data submission is expected during the April - June period. 

The 2023–24 and 2024-25 statewide targets have not been finalised.

Notes

  • Data source: Victorian Hospital Acquired Infection Surveillance System (VICNISS). Data extracted on 16 October 2024
  • Results for the current financial year are preliminary and may change from quarter to quarter, final results will be available in November. Results from the previous financial year have been finalised
  • Kilmore District Health Service voluntarily amalgamated on 1 November 2023 into Northern Health. Results for Kilmore District Hospital are now presented under Northern Health.
  • Care needs to be taken when assessing results and comparing them to prior periods
  • No data indicates no results are available
  • NP - Results not published.