Safety and quality monthly update

ACSQHC artificial intelligence (AI) guidance 

The Commission has published resources to support clinicians in the use of AI tools. 

Victorian Quality and Safety Capability Framework 

Safer Care Victoria has launched a Quality and Safety Capability Framework. 

New Zealand sepsis resources for healthcare workers  

In the lead up to World Sepsis Day (13 September), the New Zealand Health Quality & Safety Commission Te Tāhū Hauora has published a suite of new resources to help health workers in hospitals identify and treat sepsis early. 

New AHPRA non-surgical cosmetic procedures guidelines 

AHPRA and the National Boards recently published two new guidelines about cosmetic surgery practice for registered health practitioners in Australia: 

• Advertising guidelines: Guidelines for advertising higher risk non-surgical cosmetic procedures
• Shared practice guidelines: Guidelines for registered health practitioners who perform non-surgical cosmetic procedures (not applicable to medical practitioners).

WebAIRS: risks involving spinal anaesthesia in obstetric patients after labour epidurals 

The complexities associated with managing patients with established labour epidurals for urgent obstetric intervention have been underscored by a recent webAIRS analysis by Dr Leigh Solomon.  

The analysis focused on the risks of spinal anaesthesia in patients with established labour epidurals, particularly in those requiring a caesarean section. Some cases had attempted inadequate epidural "top-ups" while others proceeded directly to spinal anaesthesia without a “top-up”. 

The analysis highlights the importance of thorough risk–benefit assessment in clinical decision-making. 

Dr Solomon will present the key findings of the three topics outlined above at the Aotearoa NZ Anaesthesia ASM 2025 on Thursday 13 November in Hamilton, New Zealand. He will present alongside Dr Doris Tang on the patient characteristics and procedural factors involved in incidents involving paediatric patients and Dr Phil Quinn on extravasation injuries resulting from intravenous access.  

To learn more about webAIRS contact [email protected].