HLTIN301C Comply With Infection Control Policies and Procedures In Health Work

Assessment 1



HLTIN301C Comply With Infection Control Policies And Procedures In Health Work

Introduction

In 2004, the Australian Department of Health proposed guidelines for infectious diseases and infection control. These are the basis of infection control policies. It describes the knowledge and skills required for health care workers, which should comply with infection control policies. This strategy ensures the safety of the patients and prevents the transmission of contagious infections. Those, who are involved in infection control could be a nurse or doctor. The infection control guidelines are applied on communities, large organisation or institution. It has four parts:

Effective work practices.

Quality management.

Principles of good infection control.

Managing infection control in health care setting.

Discussion

Infection Control Guidelines

The application of precautions to prevent the infection.

The application of extra precautions when simple precautions are not sufficient to control infection.

Reduce contamination of equipment and instruments by using splatter and aerosols

(Aust. Gov., 2012).

Identification of Infection Risks

Identification of infection risks and implementation of proper response is the responsibility of health care workers.

Documentation of activities that put others at risk.

Proper response should be given to situations that cause infection risk.

Proper procedures should be followed for risk control.

Protocols should be followed for care after exposure to blood or other contagious material (Aust. Gov., 2012).

Maintenance of personal hygiene

Hand hygiene should be maintained by properly washing hands after contact with contagious material.

Hand washing procedures should be followed.

Cuts and abrasions should be covered with aseptic dressings.

Personal Protective Equipment

Protective clothing and equipment should be used .

After each patient contact, clothing should be changed frequently (Aust. Gov., 2012).

Limitation of contamination

Clean and contaminated zones should be demarcated in all health care settings.

Clean zone should be designated for materials and medicaments and

contaminated zone should be designated for used instruments and equipment

(Aust. Gov., 2012).

Disposal of Clinical Waste

Proper protective clothing should be used in accordance with safety health policies when handling waste.

Waste should be disposed into separate waste containers that should be colour coded.

Related waste should be stored in an area , where only authorised persons are allowed.

Waste should be properly handled, packaged, labelled, stored, transported to minimize contact and to reduce the risk infection spread.

Waste should be properly disposed in accordance with policies of the organisation (Aust. Gov., 2012).

Maintenance of Clean workplace surfaces

Proper protective clothing should be used during cleaning procedures.

Dust, dirt, and debris should be removed from all work surfaces.

Work surfaces should be cleaned with a detergent and water after each session.

Equipments related to special processing should be decontaminated by proper cleaning, sterilisation and disinfection.

Work surfaces should be dried before and after usage.

Surface covers should be replaced where required.

Cleaning equipment should be properly maintained and stored (Aust. Gov., 2012).

Conclusion

The infection control policies and procedures should be applied in all health care settings to maintain the health of clients and workers. It describes how to prevent infection control, how to prevent disease spread, maintenance of personal hygiene, use of protective clothing and equipment, limitation of contamination, disposal of clinical waste and maintenance of clean workplace ...