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Victorian guideline on CPO for health services

Key messages

  • In December 2019, carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter spp (CPA) and carbapenemase-producing Pseudomonas spp (CPP) isolates were made notifiable.
  • The Victorian guideline on CPO for health services replaces the Victorian guideline on carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) for health services, and includes management requirements for CPE as well as CPA and CPP.
  • Version 1.2 of this guideline replaces the previous version. The primary update is to note the new secure online CPO surveillance data collection form and updated printable version. Other minor changes are highlighted in the document.
  • This guideline applies to all paediatric and adult health services in Victoria. For the purpose of this guideline, the term ‘health service’ refers to public and private health services, hospitals and denominational hospitals that admit patients overnight.
  • The guidance also applies to all satellite haemodialysis units and day oncology units. Surgical day procedure centres are not within the scope of this guideline.
  • Recommendations in this guideline supplant all other state and national infection control guidelines related to the management of CPO.
  • Any isolation of a suspected or confirmed CPO (as defined in the glossary of this guideline) from clinical, screening or environmental samples are in scope.
  • All CPO surveillance forms should be completed via the secure online form or faxed to the department on 1300 651 170. Enquiries may be directed to amr.secretariat@health.vic.gov.au.

Templates, forms and other supporting resources referred to within the guideline are available to be downloaded below.

Victorian guideline on CPO for health services, version 1.2

Victorian guideline on CPO for Health Services - V1.2
Word 1.82 MB
(opens in a new window)

CPO surveillance data collection form

The CPO surveillance data collection form is to be used for all confirmed human CPO isolates. This can be completed either via the secure online form or by faxing the printable version to the department on 1300 651 170.

The CPO surveillance data collection form was updated in April 2025. If using the printable form, please ensure it is the updated version.

Enquiries may be directed to amr.secretariat@health.vic.gov.au

CPO surveillance form
PDF 197.25 KB
(opens in a new window)

CPO isolate referral forms (human and environmental)

The following forms are to be used by diagnostic laboratories when referring any CPO isolates to the Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory(opens in a new window) (MDU PHL). Note that there are different forms for human and environmental isolates.

Carbapenem resistant human isolate referral form FM2458
PDF 610.51 KB
(opens in a new window)
Carbapenem resistant environmental isolates referral form FM2699
Excel 30.96 KB
(opens in a new window)

Patient, staff and clinician information sheets

CPO - information for patients and their visitors
Word 136.08 KB
(opens in a new window)
CPO - information for clinicians
Word 133.85 KB
(opens in a new window)
Screening for CPO - information for patients
Word 134.15 KB
(opens in a new window)

Example letters

CPO - case letter doctor example
Word 30.05 KB
(opens in a new window)
CPO - room contact letter example
Word 23.19 KB
(opens in a new window)

Updated