Quality Standards Resource Centre

The partner information pack presents information for all people visiting and volunteering in residential aged care services. The resource includes information on the importance of infection prevention and control (IPC), the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and changes in what you need to do if you visit during an outbreak. 

This visual abstract presents outcomes from a quality improvement project aimed at reducing low-value urine dipstick testing in aged care services. It included nurse education, implementing clinical pathways for UTI identification, and evaluating urinalysis practices and antibiotic prescribing. The findings demonstrate improved antibiotic prescribing appropriateness for UTIs over a 6-month follow-up period. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 July 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.

To Dip or Not to Dip (TDONTD) is a quality improvement intervention successfully implemented in UK and Australian aged care homes to improve UTI assessment and antibiotic prescribing appropriateness.

This implementation guide has been drawn from the experiences of homes and champions who have implemented TDONTD, along with feedback from aged care nurses and personal care assistants who have used TDONTD resources.

This huddle tool poster provides guidance on appropriate use of urine dipstick tests in older adults. It explains that asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is common and not harmful, but that unnecessary antibiotic treatment can be. It suggests confirming urinary tract infections (UTIs) through clinical symptoms rather than dipstick results. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 July 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.

Infection prevention and control, also known as IPC, are the steps and processes that people can use to reduce the spread of harmful germs and bacteria. 

People who visit aged care services can help support IPC processes.

Infection prevention and control helps to stop the spread of germs like bacteria and viruses that cause respiratory infections and gastroenteritis. Hand hygiene is a very important part of this. 

In this video you will learn how to clean another person's hands.

These colouring resources have been designed specifically for the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission with the intention of providing a multifaceted creative experience for older Australians living in residential or home aged care settings, and for the people who care for them.

This resource provides discussion notes to improve the food, nutrition, and dining experience in aged care settings. It includes reflective questions for corporate teams and care staff, focusing on governance, resident choice, oral health, and support for those with swallowing difficulties. The resource promotes continuous improvement and quality care through group discussions. This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 July 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards. 

This training PowerPoint is a presentation that trainers/managers can download, customise and use to promote discussion and educate their staff to support and improve the food, nutrition and dining experience of consumers in their care.

The training resource supports an exploration of food, nutrition and dining in aged care, specifically:

Older Australians, particularly those that reside in residential aged care settings or in multigenerational households, are vulnerable to the ongoing risk of contracting and becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 and other highly infectious illnesses such as influenza and gastroenteritis.

This resource provides information about the Food, Nutrition, and Dining Hotline, which offers advice and addresses concerns regarding food and dining in aged care. It allows aged care providers, staff, residents, families, and carers to raise issues about nutrition, menu planning, and dining experiences to improve quality and care outcomes. This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 July 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards. 

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (the Commission) undertakes a range of regulatory activities to monitor compliance and mitigate risk to aged care consumers. The Commission has incorporated spot check monitoring of infection control practice into its usual regulatory activities. You can find more information about Infection control spot checks here. 

This poster serves as a resource for aged care staff to recognise and respond to signs of oral pain in residents. It provides guidance on identifying mouth and tooth pain and taking appropriate action to address these issues. The poster is available for download and use in residential aged care settings. This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 July 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards. 

This guide supports aged care staff in providing food and dining choices for residents. It outlines the importance of upholding residents' rights to choose, enhancing their health and quality of life. The guide recommends confirming preferences regularly, involving residents in meal planning, and respecting individual choices regarding when, where, and what they eat or drink. This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 July 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards. 

This resource provides guidance for aged care staff on supporting older people's informed choices regarding food and drink, even when those choices involve personal risks. It encourages staff to respect resident autonomy, provide information on risks, document decisions, and ensure access to professional advice, promoting dignity and quality of life in care settings. This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 July 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards. 

This resource provides insights into food, dining, and nutrition in residential aged care services. It is based on a survey conducted to understand residents’ dining experiences, preferences, and the quality of food and service provided. The findings highlight the importance of fresh, familiar meals, flexible mealtimes, and a homelike dining environment to enhance the quality of life for older people. This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 July 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards. 

This fact sheet informs aged care residents of their rights to safe, enjoyable, and respectful dining experiences. It outlines steps for raising concerns with providers about food and dining, offers a preference form for residents to communicate their dietary needs, and provides contact information for support services if issues remain unresolved. This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 July 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards. 

This paper presents a high-level overview of contemporary evidence regarding food services in residential aged care settings.

A quick reference A3 poster informing providers about their new provider governance responsibilities.