This week, during International Infection Prevention Week, we have covered several key infection prevention topics including hand hygiene, cleaning clinical equipment, and occupational exposures.
In our last instalment, we are going back to basics and putting a spotlight on standard precautions and the important role of immunisations.
Using standard precautions
Every patient, every time!
Standard precautions are the minimum infection prevention practices that apply to all patient care, regardless of the suspected or confirmed infection status of the patient.
For our clinical teams, standard precautions must be in mind every time you interact with a patient. Our standard precautions include:
- Perform hand hygiene – Before and after, every time
- Use the appropriate level of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – gloves, masks, gowns and eye protection
- Routine environment and equipment cleaning – Clean between, before and after use
- Maintain aseptic technique
- Physical distancing, whenever possible
- Always handle and dispose of sharps safely
- Follow respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette
- Handle and dispose of waste and used linen safely
Alongside our standard precautions, remember to conduct a risk assessment before any patient contact. If you cannot assess the situation, it’s better to be prepared with PPE and follow the general rule, “if in doubt, don’t go without”.
Staying up to date with immunisations
Know, check, protect!
Alongside standard and transmission-based precautions, immunisation is another measure we follow to ensure a safe working environment for all.
Working in a healthcare environment increases your risk of exposure and illness to diseases from infected patients and other contacts. The good news is many of these are preventable through vaccination!
At Monash Health, as part of our employee vaccination program, our team members are vaccinated and protected from the following diseases:
- Hepatitis B
- Measles (MMR)
- Varicella (Chicken Pox)
- Pertussis (Whooping cough)
- COVID-19
- Seasonal Influenza
- TB Screening
There are three things you can do to ensure you stay up to date with your vaccinations. These include:
- Know – Know your vaccination status and maintain your routine and yearly vaccinations.
- Check – If you are unsure of your vaccination status, email your name, employee number, and contact number, along with your request to infectionprevention@monashhealth.org. The Infection Prevention team will get back to you with what is missing from your record.
- Protect – Get the vaccinations you need to protect yourself, your patients and your loved ones. Employees can receive their annual influenza vaccination and required vaccines above through their local Infection Prevention Service.
For more information about your vaccination requirements and the employee vaccination program, review the ‘Staff Immunisation Procedure’ on PROMPT.
This week is International Infection Prevention Week and offers us the opportunity to recognise the important role of infection prevention professionals globally. This article is part of a series of spotlights on key infection prevention topics to remind you about the importance of maintaining safe infection prevention practices in your everyday roles and responsibilities. To stay up to date with our latest policies and procedures, contact the Infection Prevention office, ask your manager or visit PROMPT.
Approved by Professor Rhonda Stuart.