Diploma of Practice Management Assessment Tasks Module 3 Part A Covering Units: HLTIN301A HLTIN403B Comply with Infection Control Policies and Procedures in Health Work (Prerequisite) Implement and Monitor Infection Control Policies and Procedures 1
1. SELF ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES Complete all the self assessment activities set throughout module 3 providing evidence and examples where indicated. They have been listed below for your convenience. All policies and procedures provided as evidence must align with industry standards, procedures, policies and legislation for compliance. Therefore, if your current practice policies are not adequate you are required to rewrite them and submit the new policies. Your responses will be assessed in combination with your policies and procedures. Self Assessment Activity 1.1 1. Make a list of the evidence of standard and additional precaution protocols in the practice. Are they in obvious places? Do they offer the use of personal protective clothing or equipment? Where are they located? Provide practice policy and procedure as proof. 2. Obtain a copy of the standards that are appropriate to the work your practice undertakes and submit as evidence, then discuss how they can improve infection controls in the practice. Supply a copy of your practice procedure standards for comparison with industry standards. 3. Where are the manufacturer s directions for specialist equipment, such as sterilisers/autoclave kept in the practice? Are they referred to when new employees begin the job? Supply at least one example. Self Assessment Activity 1.2 1. What is the procedure for identifying, reporting and controlling infections in your practice? What is the procedure for care after exposure to blood or other bodily fluids? Send as copy for evidence. 2. What are the policies and procedures in place for hand hygiene in your practice? Do they fully explain when hands must be washed, procedures for routine and surgical hand washing, and appropriate cover for cuts and abrasions? Where are signs erected reminding people to wash their hands? 3. Where are the spills kits located in your practice? Who is responsible for checking they are stocked? What is your procedure for managing spills? Does the spills kit contain personal protective clothing and instructions for its use? Show as evidence. 4. What are the protocols for sharps management in your practice? Find the policy and procedure and check if it should be rewritten or improved in any way after studying the information provided, and then send as evidence. 2
Self Assessment Activity 1.3 1. List the different types of infection that may be encountered in your practice and how the spread of these can be minimised among staff and other patients? Supply your staff immunisation policy as evidence. Suggest sources of infections spreading and paths of transmission, and the types of patients who may be susceptible. 2. What is the procedure in your practice when it is discovered an infection control procedure is not being followed correctly? How is it reported? Who is it reported to? What follow up action would be undertaken? 3. What is the policy for personal protective clothing and equipment in your practice? Must ensure that clothing and equipment meets standards, and that it is used and changed appropriately to provide the highest level of protection. 4. How frequently are infection control policies reviewed in your practice? What format do these reviews take? Demonstrate how aggregate data is used to indicate areas for improvement. How is change managed in relation to infection control? Provide evidence. Self Assessment Activity 1.4 1. Describe the different types of waste that are generated in your practice and the procedures for safe handling, separating and managing these wastes. Provide procedures as evidence. 2. What is the written policy for storing waste in your practice? Supply as evidence. Self Assessment Activity 1.5 1. Describe the process for cleaning surfaces and decontaminating equipment in your practice. Include details about the maintenance and storage of cleaning equipment. Describe how this information is relayed to staff. Provide the written procedure as evidence. 2. ACTIVITY 1. Complete an infection risk assessment in your practice, document your activities and submit for assessment. You may use the risk assessment matrix discussed in module 2 or the hazard checklist in appendix 1 of module 2. You must show how the processes you use are consistent with your practice policy and/or the industry code of practice for infection control in relation to: 3
Standard and additional precautions; Hierarchy of risk control measures (refer module 2) Reducing spread of infection; Risk identification process; Reporting process; and Identification and investigation of hazards and lapses in work processes You should submit copies of relevant policies to allow the assessor to link your responses with the documents. If your existing practice policies are inadequate you should rewrite them and submit the new policies. 2. Explain how you monitor infection control performance and implement improvements. Explain how information is passed on from the person responsible for infection control in the practice to the workgroup, and provide evidence of communication, such as posters or signs, emails, agendas or minutes from staff meetings. Your response should include the following: Procedure for undertaking regular review of work processes to ensure compliance; How regular feedback is provided to team members; How team members are encouraged to have input into infection control practices; Demonstrate how issues raised by team members are dealt with; Demonstrate how team members are trained for changes to infection control policies; and Provide evidence of maintenance of infection control records; 3. RESEARCH ACTIVITY Research industry codes of practice for waste management then outline how clean and contaminated zones are designated in your practice and how patient confidentiality is upheld in those zones. Show how the different types of waste are segregated in your practice, and that all staff are aware of the procedures in clean and contaminated zones for waste disposal. Include the following: Describe what should be kept in clean zones and contaminated zones; Outline how waste is segregated in your practice; Your practice policy in relation to appropriate and safe waste disposal. Identify any gaps in the policy and identify what changes can be suggested; Explain how the practice policy deals with storage of hazardous waste prior to collection; Explain how the procedures are related to staff; and Provide copies of contracts for removal of different types of waste. 4
4. THIRD PARTY CONFIRMATION Develop a staff induction policy on infection control to use for a new staff member. Ask the newest staff member of your team to write a document stating exactly how the induction process was carried out regarding OHS and infection control. This must be signed and dated by the staff member and witnessed by your superior, along with their full contact details enabling your assessor to confirm the authenticity of your record. Your induction tool must include information on: Infection control policies and procedures; How to raise issues on possible hazards; What to do should an incident occur; and How to manage the following in order to minimise the potential risk/s: Contamination of materials, equipment and instruments by aerosols and splatter Cleaning procedures and schedules, products and equipment; Handling, storage and disposal of all types of waste ; Hand hygiene procedures; Infection control incident and hazard reporting and Confidentiality requirements; Sterilisation and disinfection of contaminated equipment Clean and contaminated zones; Linen production and handling; Maintenance procedures; Storage requirements; Personal protective clothing and equipment; Management of blood and body fluid spills; Single use of disposables; Skin preparation procedures; Immunisation; Needle stick injuries; Personal contact with infectious clients/transmission of diseases; Standard and additional precautions; Contractors; and Confidentiality. 5