Update: Review of Infection prevention and control guidelines for acupuncture practice

05 May 2017

Documents such as registration standards, codes and guidelines are subject to regular review with the review periods advised within the documents. The Infection prevention and control guidelines for acupuncture practice are due for review.

The Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (the Board) would like to update the Chinese medicine profession on reasons for its decision to delay a review of the Infection prevention and control guidelines for acupuncture practice.

The Board met to discuss the review of the Infection prevention and control guidelines for acupuncture practice in March. It concluded that:

• the current guidelines remain accurate and relevant, and 
• there were considerations that weighed in favour of delaying.

The most important consideration is that the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), in collaboration with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare, is now updating the 2010 Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Health Care which are referenced in the Board’s guidelines.

The Board agreed that it should wait for release of the new NHMRC guidelines. Any substantive changes to NHMRC guidance would result in the Board reviewing its guidelines in any case, regardless of a review falling due.

The Board is sharing this update because of its commitment to transparency with the profession and stakeholders.

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