Infection Control Policy
Scope
North Coast Surgical Suite (NCSS) is committed to maintaining the highest level of safety for both staff and clients by complying with recognized infection control procedures and standards.
Actions and Methods
The infection control policy has been implemented to reduce the incidence and risks of infection and prevent infection transmission.
The infection control policy aims to ensure
- Staff are educated regarding infection control issues relevant to the operation of the practice.
- Occupational Health and Safety Laws are adhered to at all times.
- Reporting of any incidents and corrective action taken.
At NCSS, Standard Precautions are implemented which include
- Safe work practices for the care and treatment of all clients regardless of their known infection status.
- Hand washing before and after contact with client and after removing gloves.
- Use of personal protective equipment, gowns, gloves, eyewear as necessary.
- Aseptic non touch technique for procedures and wound care.
- Availability of alcohol based hand rub in each consulting room.
- Correct handling and disposal of waste.
- Appropriate cleaning of equipment: Ultrasound Transducer cleaned with Isowipes before and after each use.
- Maintain hygienic environment.
- Use single use only equipment whenever possible.
- Contaminated waste containers are supplied to each consulting and procedure room.
- Reprocessing of reusable medical equipment and instruments at St Vincents Private Hospital CSSD Unit.
Effective work practices to minimize infection during minor surgical procedures include
- Implementation of standard procedures as documented above
- Sterile technique, use of sterile instruments, creating a sterile field within which to operate.
- Use of sterile gloves.
- One use only medication.
- Sterile wound dressing materials.
The second method of infection control is Transmission Based Precautions. This method is recommended in situations where Standard Precautions may be insufficient to prevent transmission of infection.
The application of Transmission Based Precautions is important in containing multi resistant organisms and outbreak management.
These may include
- Allocating a single room.
- Providing patient specific equipment.
- Droplet and air borne disease precautions.
The need to implement these precautions is limited within NCSS due to the scope of our practice and the fact that the client population are presenting on an outpatient basis.
References
NSW Department of Health Infection Control Policy.
NHMRC Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare. (2010)
NSW Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000
