Infection Prevention and Control Policies and Procedures - Desklib

This text is about the importance of complying with infection prevention and control policies and procedures in healthcare workplaces. It includes a task-based assignment that requires the use of the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare. The text covers topics such as standard precautions, transmission-based precautions, cleaning the healthcare work environment, management of clinical waste, and clean and contaminated zones.

HLTINF001
Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures
HLTINF001 Comply with infection prevention and control
policies and procedures
Name
Email address
Assessment
2. Assignment
Assignments may include short answer questions or longer answer questions and are designed to
test how you apply your knowledge into a real-world situation. All assignments are completed as
a Microsoft Word document and are submitted to an assessor through My eCampus. Your
assessor is looking for how you apply your knowledge and how you think critically about the topic
area.
This assignment is designed to give you greater understanding of the purpose of infection control
in the healthcare workplace. To gain a greater understanding you will be required to use the
information from your workbook as well as other sources. Specifically the National Health and
Medical Research Council, Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in
Healthcare. This can be found at http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/guidelines-publications/cd33.
These guidelines are available as a PDF.
Download the PDF and this will help with your
assessment tasks below.
This document contains information that
applies to all healthcare premises regardless
of the size of the facility. You will not be
required to read or understand the entire
document, but there are certain parts of the
guidelines that you will need to complete your
assessments.

HLTINF001
Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures
Task 1
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.
Hand hygiene is one of the most important control measures that help to avoid the
transmission of harmful germs as well as prevent the infections related to healthcare. It
involves cleansing of the hands by washing with clean water and soap or applying alcohol
based hand rub. Putting this precaution into practise when handling a patient, I will ensure
that I follow the policies of the facility regarding cuts and abrasions, cuts and jewellery. In
addition to that, I will follow the 5 moments of hand hygiene which requires that I cleanse
my hand before touching a patient, before performing any procedure, after performing a
procedure, after touching a patient and after being in contact with the environment of the
patient. Even after getting rid of the gloves, I will perform hand hygiene.

HLTINF001
Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures
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.
The transmission of infectious germs may sometimes happen directly when a healthcare
practitioner comes into contact with a patient or indirectly when a practitioner comes into contact
with contaminated surfaces, clothing or patient-care devices. It is therefore important that a
healthcare practitioner takes into consideration the contact precautions when in a healthcare
environment. When working in a healthcare environment, I will make sure that I isolate patients
whom I suspect or show signs of having infectious diseases1. This is to help reduce the risk of coming
into contact with them. I will also ensure that I use one equipment for one patient and clean
equipment in cases where equipment must be shared.
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)
1 Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare | NHMRC. (2010)
22. Retrieved from https://nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/australian-guidelines-prevention-
and-control-infection-healthcare-2010

HLTINF001
Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures
In this case, the potential risk it could cause is cross-contamination. To manage this risk, I will use
gowns, face and eye protection equipments, mask, sterile gloves, appropriate footwear and
instruments to collect these wastes back into the bin2. I will also advice the people to use alternative
walkways as I try to manage the risks. After collecting these wastes, I will clean the place by using
appropriate disinfectants and alcohol-based solutions.
2 Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare | NHMRC. (2010)
25. Retrieved from https://nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/australian-guidelines-prevention-
and-control-infection-healthcare-2010

HLTINF001
Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures
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?
This case puts other healthcare workers at a risk of cross contamination and exposure to
bloodborne infectious agents. To inform others of the risk, I will pass word of mouth to anyone in
vicinity and request them to pass the same message to others as word tends to spread faster than
any other means of passing of information. Also, I will enclose the place so as to minimize the risks
of infection.
Task 3
Section B2.1 (begins on p46) of the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of
Infection in Healthcare provides information regarding the use of PPE.
Question 3.1
Describe briefly the key points in cleaning the healthcare work environment. In your answer
please describe:
1. When to wear PPE
2. When is it appropriate to use normal detergent
3. When is it appropriate to use disinfectant
4. What processes can be used to sterilise equipment (see p78-82 of the NHMRC guidelines for
infection control) and how can this equipment be stored
PPE should be worn when cleaning blood or body substance spills, when there are suspected
airborne diseases and even when cleaning contaminated surfaces. The normal detergent should be
used when cleaning areas which the presence of infectious agents that require the transmission
based precautions have been confirmed or are being suspected or even frequently touch in patient
care areas. Disinfectants should be used to pre-clean contaminated surfaces and the reusable
supplies and equipment. There are several processes of sterilizing equipment. These include
autoclaving, filtration, radiation, use of solvents, dry heat and chemical sterilization3. Sterile
equipment should be labelled and stored separate with other equipment. Basically, they should be
kept in a container and placed in the fridge.
3 Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare | NHMRC. (2010)
46-82. Retrieved from https://nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/australian-guidelines-
prevention-and-control-infection-healthcare-2010

HLTINF001
Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures
Question 3.2
When is the use of PPE required and how regularly should it be changed or removed?
PPE should be used when there is probability of exposure to blood and body substances, when
there is a type of body substance involved and also when there are probable types and routes of
transmission of infectious agents. PPE should be changed or removed after every use and also
changed when heavily contaminated or torn.
Question 3.3
The management of clinical waste is essential to infection prevention. Describe what processes
should be followed in the management of clinical and other waste. In your answer please
describe:
1. What PPE equipment can be used?
2. The role of colour coded waste containers
3. Where clinical waste should be stored and what precautions should be taken to identify that
space
4. How clinical waste can be handled and processed properly
The personal protective equipment that should be used in the management of clinical and other
waste include shoe covers, gloves, respirators, coveralls and face shields.
The role of the colour coded containers is for easy identification. The unique identification of these
containers is of great essence to subsequent handling by the licensed operators. Clinical wastes are
contaminated instruments and equipments and therefore should be stored in the contaminated
zone in a segregated place. To identify the right space to keep these wastes, one should take into
precaution the packaging requirements. Clinical waste should be stored in containers which are
strong to prevent tearing, impervious to moisture and leak-proof so as to minimize the impairment
of their safety. To handle and process clinical waste properly, the containers should not be filled
above the warning line and should be carefully sealed to avoid coming into contact with the external
environment. They must also bear specific labels for easy identification and must be frequently
collected.
Task 4
The following questions are related to clean and contaminated zones, provide a link to relevant
health department resource in your state or territory in providing your answers.
Question 4.1
What is the purpose of a clean zone and what should be maintained within this area?

HLTINF001
Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures
A clean zone is an independent area specifically designated for non-contaminated items. It is used
to reduce entry, generation and maintenance of the particles within the zone4. It is purposely meant
for the protection of products from the outward influences as well as confinement of records,
sterile, materials and medicaments. In this area, the air environment indicated in the local work
area’s parameter should be maintained.
Question 4.2
What is the purpose of a contaminated zone in the healthcare environment and what should be
confined to this space?
In the healthcare environment, a contaminated zone is an area specifically designated for the
purpose of placement of contaminated waste or objects5. It is usually meant to confine clinical
waste, laboratory waste, human tissues, discarded sharps, pharmaceutical wastes, used linen skips
and any other waste specified by the healthcare organization.
Bibliography
4 Queensland Health Facility Guideline. Oral Health Unit (2012) Retrieved from
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0029/150977/qh-gdl-374-10.pdf
5 Queensland Health Facility Guideline. Oral Health Unit (2012) Retrieved from
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0029/150977/qh-gdl-374-10.pdf

HLTINF001
Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures
Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare (2010) | NHMRC.
(2018). Retrieved from https://nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/australian-guidelines-
prevention-and-control-infection-healthcare-2010
Queensland Health Facility Guideline. Oral Health Unit (2012) Retrieved from
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0029/150977/qh-gdl-374-10.pdf