Healthcare infection prevention governance

At the local level South Australian hospitals each have a nominated person or team with responsibility for infection prevention and control who reports to an Infection Control Committee or other Clinical Governance committee within each Local Health Network.

The oversight of infection prevention and control strategies and priorities at the state level occurs via a number of separate committees which are administered by the Infection Control Service of the Communicable Disease Control Branch, except where indicated.

South Australian Infection Reference Group (SAIRG)

The SAIRG serves as the peak advisory body to SA Health on healthcare infection prevention strategies and consists of representative infectious disease specialist physicians, medical scientists, infection prevention and control coordinators from each of the Local Health Networks, a SA Pathology representative, the Director of Communicable Disease Control Branch and representatives from the SA Health Infection Control Service.

SA Health Reprocessing of Reusable Medical Devices Committee (SARC)

The SARC provides a forum for state-wide decision making in matters relating to reprocessing of reusable medical devices (including high level disinfection) in Central Sterilising Departments (CSDs) and other satellite sites. The Committee enables oversight of the implementation of the reusable medical device reprocessing AS/NZS 4187:2014 and the Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA) Infection Control in Endoscopy Guidelines in SA Health facilities across metropolitan and regional local health networks (LHN).  The Committee provides a forum to share learning and resources to support the implementation of standard AS/NZS 4187:2014.

For advice on reprocessing or reusable medical devices, contact the Sterilising and Reusable Medical Device Reprocessing State Coordinator via the SA Health Infection Control Service. 

South Australian Network of Infection Control Teams (SANIT)

& incorporating Non-acute Infection Control Special Interest Group (NICSIG)

The SANIT also incorporates the Non-Acute Infection Control Special Interest Group (NICSIG) consisting of Infection Control Professionals, scientists and other disciplines from acute and non-acute South Australian healthcare and/or residential care facilities (RACF) and agencies (both public and private / acute and non-acute) that have a mutual interest in the prevention and surveillance / monitoring of health care associated infections.

All members are from South Australian public and private healthcare facilities who have a mutual interest in the surveillance and prevention of healthcare associated infections. Participation in SANIT is on a voluntary basis.

Working relationships

SA Health's Infection Control Service also has close working relationships with the following:

National bodies:

SA bodies

Further information

For further information on any of these committees, contact SA Health's Infection Control Service.