On page 21 of the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare there is a table of standard precautions that are to be used by healthcare workers to reduce the likelihood of infection.
Within that table, the following precautions are listed:
• Hand Hygiene
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Handling and Disposal of Sharps
• Environmental Controls
• Reprocessing of Re-usable equipment and instruments
• Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette
• Aseptic non-touch technique
• Waste and Linen
Within the table is direction to the guidelines for each standard precaution, select one of the standard precautions. Then go to the section relating to the standard precaution, within each section is a topic titled “Putting it into practice”. You will need to read this topic to answer the following question
Question 1.1
Based on the standard precaution you have chosen, name the standard precaution and describe in your own words, how you would put this precaution into practice.
Question 1.2
One page 22 of the guidelines is a table describing the transmission-based precautions. Chose one of the precautions then go to the section of the guide relating to that precaution. Summarise in your own how you would apply those precautions in a healthcare environment.
Task 2
On page 25 of the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare is a case study example of how an infection risk is managed. Using this and your workbook, describe how you could respond to an infection risk in the workplace.
Case example: A container of clinical waste is accidently drop onto the floor. The container breaks, spilling its contents on the floor of a busy walkway. The container included sharps, bandages with blood and other clinical waste.
Question 2.1
Describe how you would respond to this risk. Specifically, state what potential risk this case example could cause and how you would respond? (Hint: use the guidelines for use of PPE and cleaning)
Question 2.2
How could this case example put other workers at risk? What steps can you take to inform others of the risk whilst it is being managed?
Sample Solution