Research funding for infection prevention and control

Targeted research into improving infection prevention and control in aged care homes will attract $3.7 million in federal government funding.

Four projects funded under the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) Targeted Call for Research (TCR): Improving infection prevention and control in residential aged care homes 2023 aim to stimulate research to better understand the factors that influence the successful implementation of IPC programs in aged care homes.

Effective IPC measures and practices reduce the risk of transmission of infections and the development of antimicrobial resistance. When implemented within aged care settings, IPC programs protect older people, healthcare providers and others from harmful infections.

“Our national research efforts must be directed towards adopting an evidence-based approach to infection prevention and control — this will ultimately improve the health and wellbeing of aged care residents and the wider community,” said Steve Wesselingh, NHMRC CEO.

“The outcomes of this targeted research will help to develop a solid evidence base to inform how existing measures and practices can be adapted to suit the unique environment of residential aged cares homes.”

Each of the four research projects funded will receive close to $1 million to inform evidence-based interventions for IPC programs that meet the varying needs of both public and private aged care homes across Australia and will also inform what actions are required for these programs to be successfully implemented.

Of those receiving funding, Monash University — with chief investigator Professor Anton Peleg — will lead a research program to develop optimised models and approaches for IPC in aged care homes. Through a highly engaged co-design process with people with lived experience and end users, Peleg’s program aims to improve the lives of residents by reducing their risk of infection.

University of Technology Sydney researcher Dr Su-yin Hor will partner with people in care, their families and carers, residential aged care providers and infection control experts to investigate how residents, staff and the community can be kept safe from infectious diseases without compromising the rights, health and wellbeing needs of older people in care.

“For our aged care sector, we need to remain vigilant on our approach towards infection prevention and control — it is an integral part of quality and safety standard improvement,” said Anika Wells, Minister for Aged Care.

“Supported IPC leads will deliver consistent, effective prevention and response to infectious diseases in residential aged care homes, protecting our older community.”

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