The Victorian Healthcare Associated Infection Surveillance System (VICNISS) oversees healthcare associated infection (HAI) surveillance and prevention, prevention, and control, with the goal of enhancing infection prevention practices to ensure the highest quality of care across Victoria’s acute and aged care sectors.
Funded by the Victorian Department of Health, VICNISS is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of experts, including infectious disease physicians, senior infection control nurse consultants, epidemiologists, biostatisticians, and IT specialists who work collaboratively to support healthcare facilities across Victoria through surveillance and prevention programs. Data collated by VICNISS are used by the Department of Health in their hospital performance monitoring framework, which monitors quality and safety indicators across Victoria’s health services.
VICNISS partners with the National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship (NCAS), recognising the significant overlap between antimicrobial stewardship and infection control. Together, they collaborate on a range of joint initiatives, including the National Antimicrobial Prescribing Surveys for aged care and surgical settings.
