Infection Control in Aged Care NZ – Nga Paerewa 3.5, Outbreak Management & MoH Compliance
Infection prevention and control (IPC) is a cornerstone of safe aged care in Aotearoa New Zealand. This guide covers the key requirements under Nga Paerewa (Health and Disability Services Standards NZS 8134:2021), Ministry of Health (MoH) guidance, and practical steps for your facility. All information is current as of May 2026.
1. Nga Paerewa 3.5 – Infection Prevention & Control
Standard 3.5 of Nga Paerewa requires every aged care provider to have a documented IPC programme. Key elements include:
- 3.5.1 – A designated IPC lead (nurse or manager) responsible for oversight.
- 3.5.2 – Policies for hand hygiene, PPE use, cleaning, and waste management.
- 3.5.3 – Regular staff training (at least annually) on IPC principles.
- 3.5.4 – Monitoring of infection rates and reporting to governance.
Key rule: Under Nga Paerewa 3.5.2, your IPC policy must be reviewed at least every 2 years and after any outbreak. Keep signed copies of staff training records for audit.
2. Outbreak Management Plan
Every facility must have a written outbreak management plan that aligns with MoH’s ‘Guidance for the Management of Outbreaks of Infectious Diseases in Residential Aged Care Facilities’ (2024 update). Your plan must include:
- Triggers for declaring an outbreak (e.g., 2+ cases of same illness in 72 hours).
- Immediate isolation of affected residents (single room or cohorting).
- Communication protocols with residents, families, staff, and the local Public Health Unit.
- Enhanced cleaning and disinfection schedules.
- Staff exclusion criteria (e.g., symptomatic staff must not work until cleared).
Warning: Failure to notify the local Medical Officer of Health within 24 hours of a suspected outbreak can result in a compliance notice under the Health Act 1956. Always call your Public Health Unit immediately.
3. PPE Protocols
PPE requirements are based on the MoH ‘Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guidelines for Aged Care’ (2025 revision). Minimum standards:
- Standard precautions: Gloves and apron for any contact with body fluids.
- Transmission-based precautions: Add surgical mask for droplet (e.g., flu, COVID-19), N95/P2 respirator for airborne (e.g., TB, measles).
- Donning and doffing: Staff must be trained in the correct sequence (poster in every PPE station).
- Stock levels: Maintain a minimum 30-day supply of all PPE items (MoH recommendation).
Key rule: Under Nga Paerewa 3.5.3, PPE training must be competency-assessed (not just watched a video). Use a checklist signed by a trainer.
4. MoH Guidance – Current Requirements
The MoH publishes a ‘National Infection Prevention and Control Framework for Aged Care’ (updated March 2026). Key points:
- Hand hygiene: Use the WHO 5 Moments – before/after resident contact, before aseptic task, after body fluid exposure, after touching resident surroundings.
- Environmental cleaning: High-touch surfaces (bed rails, call bells, door handles) must be cleaned at least twice daily during outbreaks.
- Ventilation: Ensure adequate air changes – open windows where possible, use HEPA filters in high-risk areas.
- Vaccination: Staff must be up to date with influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations (MoH directive 2025).
5. Notifiable Disease Reporting
Under the Health Act 1956 (Schedule 2), certain diseases must be reported to the Medical Officer of Health. In aged care, common notifiable conditions include:
- COVID-19 (any case)
- Influenza (confirmed cases in outbreak)
- Gastroenteritis (e.g., norovirus – 2+ cases in 24 hours)
- Scabies, measles, tuberculosis
Reporting is via the EpiSurv system or by phone to your local Public Health Unit. Timeframe: Within 24 hours of suspicion (not confirmation).
Warning: Under the Health Act, failure to report a notifiable disease can lead to fines up to $5,000 for an individual or $50,000 for an organisation. Always err on the side of reporting.
6. IPC Audits
Nga Paerewa 3.5.4 requires regular IPC audits. The HealthCERT audit tool (2025 version) includes these IPC checks:
- Hand hygiene compliance (observed practice – target >80%).
- PPE availability and correct use.
- Cleaning schedules and product efficacy (e.g., disinfectant contact times).
- Waste segregation (clinical vs general).
- Staff training records.
Conduct internal audits quarterly and document corrective actions. External audits by HealthCERT occur every 2–3 years, but can be triggered by complaints or outbreaks.
7. Hand Hygiene Standards
The NZ Hand Hygiene Guidelines for Healthcare (2024) apply to aged care. Key standards:
- Use alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) as first choice (except for norovirus – use soap and water).
- Hand washing duration: 20–30 seconds with liquid soap and warm water.
- Nails must be short, no artificial nails, no nail polish (harbour bacteria).
- Jewellery: Remove rings (except plain wedding band), watches, and bracelets.
Key rule: Under Nga Paerewa 3.5.2, hand hygiene compliance must be audited monthly and results displayed in staff areas. Use the WHO observation tool.
For a complete IPC toolkit, including templates for outbreak plans, audit checklists, and staff training logs, visit our ShiftScript Portal.
Access the ShiftScript IPC Toolkit →
Need more help with infection control compliance?
ShiftScript provides NZ-specific aged care compliance tools, including automated outbreak logs, PPE checklists, and audit templates aligned with Nga Paerewa and MoH guidance.
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FAQ – Infection Control in Aged Care NZ
What is the most common infection control breach in NZ aged care?
Hand hygiene non-compliance (especially before resident contact) is the most common breach found during HealthCERT audits. Use the WHO 5 Moments and audit monthly.
Do we need a separate outbreak plan for COVID-19?
No – your general outbreak management plan should cover all infectious diseases, including COVID-19. However, include specific sections for respiratory vs gastrointestinal outbreaks.
How often must IPC training be refreshed?
Nga Paerewa 3.5.3 requires at least annual training. However, after any outbreak or if new MoH guidance is issued, retrain within 1 month.
What are the PPE requirements for norovirus?
For norovirus (gastroenteritis), use gloves, apron, and surgical mask. Hand hygiene must be soap and water (ABHR is ineffective against norovirus).
Who do I report a notifiable disease to?
Your local Public Health Unit (Medical Officer of Health). Find contact details on the MoH website. Report within 24 hours of suspicion.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common infection control breach in NZ aged care?
Hand hygiene non-compliance (especially before resident contact) is the most common breach found during HealthCERT audits. Use the WHO 5 Moments and audit monthly.
Do we need a separate outbreak plan for COVID-19?
No – your general outbreak management plan should cover all infectious diseases, including COVID-19. However, include specific sections for respiratory vs gastrointestinal outbreaks.
How often must IPC training be refreshed?
Nga Paerewa 3.5.3 requires at least annual training. However, after any outbreak or if new MoH guidance is issued, retrain within 1 month.
What are the PPE requirements for norovirus?
For norovirus (gastroenteritis), use gloves, apron, and surgical mask. Hand hygiene must be soap and water (ABHR is ineffective against norovirus).
Who do I report a notifiable disease to?
Your local Public Health Unit (Medical Officer of Health). Find contact details on the MoH website. Report within 24 hours of suspicion.