An outbreak response depends on clear responsibilities and current information. The IPC lead, care team and managers need to know who is affected, which advice applies and what action remains outstanding. This guide sets out a practical record and handover structure. Guidance reviewed 25 September 2026.
Start with the care setting and current advice
The Department’s respiratory infection guidance describes residential outbreak arrangements and the ongoing onsite IPC lead requirement. It also explains that definitions can vary by state and territory. Use current local public-health advice for the disease and setting.
Do not apply a single two-case, 72-hour rule to every infection, or assume one notification deadline and closure rule covers all outbreaks. Record the advice used and who is responsible for checking updates.
Keep the response record usable
Build the record around the information the next person needs:
- Who is affected and where care is being delivered.
- Known onset and test information, with unknown details marked for follow-up.
- Exposure contacts and the current line list.
- Actions, owners and outstanding tasks.
- Public-health advice and notifications made.
- Decisions about containment, closure and subsequent review.
Agree how the team will update these records during handover. A complete-looking list is not enough if important information is out of date.
Separate notification from recording it
Identify which external notifications apply and who will make them. Keep the time, reference, recipient and relevant advice with the response record. Recording a notification in software does not send it to a public-health authority.
Consider SIRS responsibilities separately where an incident may be reportable. An infection or outbreak alone does not establish a reportable category or priority. Review the circumstances and relevant reporting requirements promptly.
Keep prevention and clinical review in the plan
The Commission’s Outcome 5.2 guidance addresses clinical infection control and antimicrobial stewardship suited to the service context. Use it alongside your applicable standards and approved clinical processes.
Plan staff education, hand hygiene observation, environmental review and antimicrobial review with the responsible clinicians. Record the method, findings, actions and follow-up. Avoid treating a generic percentage or audit frequency as proof that the IPC program is effective.
Coordinate the work in Statura Care
The IPC workspace brings infection records, outbreak line lists, exposure contacts and response tasks together. Review lead coverage, record externally completed public-health notifications and use the reporting views to examine recorded patterns.
Bring a fictional outbreak to a demonstration. Follow the record from suspected cases through assigned actions, communication and closure review. Check that the information needed at each handover is available to the right people.