Dear colleagues,

You may be aware that last Friday we received advice from the Therapeutic Goods Administration about a recall of Infusion Sets for Becton Dickinson (BD) Alaris™ Pumps (GP, VP, CC and SE) and Non-Dedicated Infusion sets and accessories. Following further investigation, this recall has been placed on hold in Australia by the TGA and with the support of Queensland Health a risk management position has been adopted until the devices can be replaced in a way that doesn’t reduce our ability to provide necessary treatment to patients. The Metro North Clinical Governance, Safety, Quality and Risk team are working on a contingency plan with all Metro North Clinical Directorates and facilities. If you have any questions or queries regarding this matter, please don’t hesitate to contact the Metro North Clinical Governance and Quality unit on 3647 9559.

One of our standard safety and quality practices, under Standard 3, is to measure infection rates in patients who receive treatment via infusion. In the past three years there has been no increase in bacteraemia detected in these devices.

The National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standard 3 has three main aims: to reduce the risk of preventable healthcare-associated infections; to effectively manage those infections that do occur; and, antimicrobial stewardship to limit antimicrobial resistance. Metro North infection prevention and control programs use statewide and national guidelines and definitions for healthcare associated infection and surveillance to inform, guide and direct practice.

Some of our highlights in 2020 include maintaining the effectiveness of antimicrobial stewardship and infection surveillance data consistently above the national target, and the rapid integration of infection control processes into our standard practices throughout the pandemic. These are a testament to the commitment of Metro North staff to safe and high-quality care.

We pride ourselves on providing great care, and “great care is safe care”. I’d love to hear your ideas on innovation, quality improvement and how we can make a difference across Metro North to ensure quality and safety is everybody’s business. Email your thoughts to my office at MN_ClinGovQandRisk@health.qld.gov.au.

We have established a Metro North working group to improve Discharge Against Medical Advice with a focus on the needs of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities that we serve. If you have ideas on how we can improve in this important area of care to our patients and families, please let me know.

Thank you for your commitment to the delivery of quality focused safe care to our patients and families and for supporting your colleagues to achieve this every-day and making a difference to health outcomes across the health service.

Regards,

Michele