Audit summary

Infections are the most common complication affecting hospital patients. People can bring infections acquired in the community with them into hospital, or they can acquire an infection during their hospital stay—known as healthcare-associated infections (HAI). Infections prolong hospital stays, increase costs and can cause significant harm to patients, some of whom die as a result.

Infection Prevention and Control in Public Hospitals

Body
This audit examined the effectiveness of prevention, monitoring and control of infections in public hospitals. It did this through focusing on the infection prevention and control activities of the Department of Health and a sample of health services that represent the range of health service types in Victoria.

Appendix D. Audit Act 1994 section 16—submissions and comments

In accordance with section 16(3) of the Audit Act 1994 a copy of this report, or relevant extracts, were provided to the departments of Human Services, Treasury and Finance, Premier and Cabinet, Health, and Justice with a request for submissions or comments.

The submissions and comments provided are not subject to audit nor the evidentiary standards required to reach an audit conclusion. Responsibility for the accuracy, fairness and balance of those comments rests solely with the agency head.

Responses were received as follows: