The Aged Quality and Safety Commission has released a news bulletin which includes many topics including reforms, site audits, SIRS reporting, clinical care requirements, recognizing the signs of septis, aged care scholarship applications and more. To view this bulletin, go to https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/news-centre/newsletter/aged-care-quality-bulletin-45-september-2022#update-on-preparations-for-reforms-with-regulatory-implications
To download the Aged Care reforms fact sheet, head to:
The Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) aims to prevent and reduce abuse and neglect incidents in Australian government-funded residential aged care facilities. SIRS is now being introduced to include in-home care and other forms of care delivered in a home or community setting.
As a result, home and flexible care providers will have new responsibilities regarding incident management and prevention, as well as reporting incidents to the Commission. They are strongly advised to take action now to ensure their incident management system is effective.
There is a fact sheet on what it is to have an effective incident management system, which can be found here:
This includes:
- policies and procedures on identifying, responding, resolving and learning from incidents.
- Recording tool to capture information on incidents.
- Staff training program
- Provider governance and accountability.
There are 8 types of reportable incidents, which are:
- Unreasonable use of force
- Unlawful or innaproppriate sexual contact
- Neglect
- Psychological or emotional abuse
- Unexpected death
- Stealing
- Inappropriate use of restrictive practices
- Unexplained absence from care
To get examples for each reportable incident, visit: https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/sirs