The SA Health Clinical Governance Framework outlines how the Department for Health and Wellbeing, all Local Health Networks (LHNs) and SA Ambulance Service (SAAS) commit to work together. Information about SA Health governance is available via the SA Health Governance page.
At the local level South Australian hospitals each have a nominated person or team with responsibility for infection prevention and control (IPC) who reports to an Infection Control Committee or other Clinical Governance committee within each Local Health Network (LHN).
In addition to LHN governed IPC activities and groups, the following special interest reference groups are supported by the ICS to promote discussion, networking and provision of IPC advice.
SAIRG is not a formal committee as per the SA Health Clinical Governance Framework, however this group serves as an reference group to the SA Health Infection Control Service. SAIRG 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.
The SARG is not a formal committee as per the SA Health Clinical Governance Framework, however this group serves as a networking and discussion group. The SARG provides a forum to discuss LHN matters relating to reprocessing of reusable medical devices (RMDs) including high level disinfection in Central Sterile Supply Departments (CSSD) and other sites including endoscopy units, medical imaging and other satellite sites that reprocess RMDs.
SARG considers the relevant standards and guidelines including the reusable medical device reprocessing standard AS5369:2023 and the Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA) and Gastroenterological Nurses College of Australia (GENCA) Infection Control in Endoscopy Guidelines in SA Health facilities across metropolitan and regional local health networks (LHN). The group provides a forum to share learnings or obtain consensus advice on reprocessing challenges.
For advice on reprocessing or reusable medical devices, contact the reprocessing/sterilisation or infection prevention and control lead of the relevant Local Health Network. The Sterilising and Reusable Medical Device Reprocessing State Coordinator can also be contacted via the SA Health Infection Control Service.
SANIT and NICSIG are not formal committees as per the SA Health Clinical Governance Framework, however this group serves as a networking and discussion group.
SANIT 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 (RCF) 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.
Participation in SANIT/NICSIG is on a voluntary basis.
SA Health's Infection Control Service also has close working relationships with the following bodies:
For further information on any of these groups, contact SA Health's Infection Control Service.
