Infection Control - Policy and quiz for carers

Purpose

To ensure employees/ clients/families are protected against infectious diseases and infections by providing guidelines for their investigation, control and prevention.

Policy

Aquamarine Personalised Home Care practices infection control measures, when providing service to its clients in order to minimize the risk of infections to employees/ clients/families and the community-at-large.

Definitions

Infectious Diseases

Infectious/Communicable Diseases are those that are capable of being transmitted from one person or species to another. They include, but are not limited to:

  • COVID-19 (previously known as Coronavirus)
  • Malaria
  • Strep Throat,
  • Influenza (the flu)
  • HIV/Aids
  • Measles
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • SARS
  • Tuberculosis
  • Common Cold
  • Chicken Pox
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Hepatitis (A,B,C)
  • Lice
  • Ringworm
  • Scabies
  • Scarlet Fever
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases− Yeast Infections
  • MRSA

2. Universal Precautions

Universal Precautions are measures that can be followed to help prevent the spread of infection through contact with potentially infectious materials. All blood and body fluids are considered potentially infectious materials and every client is handled as if he/she could have an infectious disease. Universal Precautions include:

  • hand washing;
  • personal protective equipment;
  • sharp objects;
  • body specimens;
  • blood and body fluid spills;
  • household waste;
  • laundry; and,
  • hygienic measures in the home.

Procedures

Employee Responsibilities:

  • Employees shall apply Universal Precautions in the performance of duties, which may expose them to infectious and blood-borne diseases.
  • Employees shall demonstrate their ability to utilize infection control measures before they assume responsibility for care.
  • Employees, who notice that another employee is not following Universal Precautions for infection control shall report the details to Aquamarine office on 0422 867 111.
  • Employees shall practice high levels of hygiene for infection control.
  • Employees shall recognize work restrictions based on infection control concerns.
  • Employees shall report health symptoms and/or exposure to any communicable or infectious disease to Aquamarine Office on 0422 867 111.
  • Infected employees shall consult with their Health Care Provider regarding when they should be removed from client contact and when client contact can once again be resumed.

Guidelines

  • All people shall be considered potentially infectious.
  • Employees have a responsibility to protect the health and well being of clients/families.
  • Employees have a responsibility to protect themselves and each other.
  • An employee’s Health Care Professional shall determine if and when an infected employee is removed from client contact and when client contact can once again be resumed.
  • Eating, drinking, smoking, handling contact lenses and applying make-up shall not be permitted in work areas where there is a potential for exposure to infectious diseases.
  • All medical information about employees/clients/families shall be kept confidential.

Infection control policy quiz