Questions and Answers
What must be considered when implementing PPE in healthcare settings?
When is it mandatory to wear gloves in a healthcare setting?
What type of gloves must be worn when touching key sites and key parts directly?
What actions are health workers prohibited from doing regarding PPE before entering a health facility?
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The choice of PPE should be based on what primary criteria?
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In what situation can the use of sterile gloves be subject to discretion?
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What is the primary focus of the procedures that NSW Health Organisations must develop regarding health workers?
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Why is a respiratory protection program essential for certain health workers?
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What must NSW Health Organisations assess to identify a patient's infection risk rating?
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What guideline must NSW Health Organisations follow for implementing the respiratory protection program?
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Which of the following is a requirement for health worker non-participation in specific clinical procedures?
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What could indicate a higher priority for infection prevention and control interventions?
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Which area is included as a specialized area that requires high-quality air?
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What must be done to all supply air and return air registers in clinical areas?
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What is indicated as a key strategy for reducing the spread of infectious diseases in healthcare facilities?
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What should be considered before adding temporary structures in multibed bays?
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When should portable air filtration devices be used in hospital settings?
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What is essential to do regarding the use of air filtration devices before purchasing them?
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Which legislation is NOT associated with infection prevention and control in healthcare settings in New South Wales?
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Which health practitioners are covered under the Health Practitioner Regulation (New South Wales) Regulation 2016 for infection prevention and control standards?
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What is a requirement for each NSW Health Organisation regarding infection prevention and control?
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Which of the following acts specifically addresses environmental protection in relation to infection control?
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Which of the following is NOT a focus area for the Dental Board of Australia regarding dental practitioners?
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Which document lays out the infection prevention and control standards for several health professions in NSW?
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What primarily drives the decision to screen for specific multidrug-resistant organisms (MROs)?
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Which factor is NOT considered when implementing an MRO screening program?
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What is the fundamental goal of antimicrobial stewardship within healthcare settings?
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What does a decolonisation program primarily involve?
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Which approach is used to reduce the risk of transmission of specific MROs?
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What should be utilized to inform subsequent infection prevention and control actions?
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What must clinical waste be disposed of in?
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What is the requirement for PPE that has been contaminated with blood or body substances?
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Why is respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette important in healthcare settings?
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What must health workers do if they show symptoms of acute respiratory infection?
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What should used linen soiled with body substances be handled to prevent?
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Which of the following products must be accessible to individuals presenting with signs of respiratory infection?
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What type of waste should PPE be classified as unless contaminated?
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Which practice does not help in managing waste appropriately in healthcare settings?
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What is one potential risk associated with inadequate handling of waste in healthcare?
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What may local or state protocols require for those presenting with acute respiratory infection symptoms?
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Study Notes
Legal and Legislative Framework
- The Policy Directive integrates with several laws including:
- Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009 (NSW)
- Public Health Act 2010 (NSW)
- Food Act 2003 (NSW)
- Privacy Act 1988 (Commonwealth)
- Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW)
- Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (Commonwealth)
- Public Health Regulation 2022 (NSW)
- Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW)
- Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW)
- The Health Practitioner Regulation (NSW) Regulation 2016 outlines standards for infection prevention for various healthcare practitioners including medical professionals and nurses.
- Dental practitioners must adhere to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) Shared Code of Conduct regarding infection control.
Clinical Governance Requirements
- Each NSW Health Organisation needs an executive sponsor for their infection control program.
- Organizations must create procedures for:
- Health worker communication and reporting of communicable disease risks.
- Mitigating transmission risks of communicable diseases.
- Managing human resource issues, including redeployment and return to work.
Respiratory Protection Program
- Health workers providing care for patients on airborne precautions must have a respiratory protection program in place.
- Follow the CEC Respiratory Protection Program Manual for specific guidelines.
Risk Identification Requirements
- Individual infection risk assessment is vital for determining potential infection sources among patients, visitors, and caregivers.
- Specialised healthcare areas require high-quality air delivery:
- Operating rooms, intensive care units, and similar areas must maintain dedicated return air paths.
- Effective ventilation systems are essential for controlling the spread of infectious diseases.
- Consultation with stakeholders is necessary for temporary structures in clinical areas to avoid airflow risks.
Environmental and Engineering Controls
- Healthcare facilities must meet strict standards as per the Australasian Health Facility Guidelines.
- The efficacy of portable air filtration devices remains inconclusive; usage should be limited to specific deficient situations.
- Proper protocols around the management and safe use of air filtration devices are essential.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Compliance
- The Infection Prevention and Control Practice Handbook outlines PPE selection and usage.
- Evaluate environmental sustainability impacts while implementing PPE.
- Health workers must not introduce unapproved PPE into healthcare facilities.
Infection Control and Monitoring
- Gloves are mandatory for any potential exposure to body substances; they must be worn on both hands.
- Sterile gloves are required for any contact with key sites.
- Ongoing compliance monitoring and feedback are necessary for adherence to infection control standards.
Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MRO) Screening
- Targeted MRO screening plans must be established in acute-care settings based on:
- Local MRO prevalence and patient admission reasons.
- Functional risk of the patient's unit and likelihood of MRO carriage.
- Screening results inform ongoing infection prevention strategies and actions.
Revision History
- PD2023_025 approved in September 2023, updating references to the COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Manual and Respiratory Protection Program Manual.
- PD2017_013 was a composite update of several infection control policies including hand hygiene and multi-resistant organism prevention.
Key Definitions
- Body Substance: Emphasizes precautions against contact with solid tissues and various body fluids excluding intact skin, hair, and sweat.
- Cleaning: Involves removing visible soil from surfaces using water and detergents or enzymatic products.
Clinical Governance
- Establishes a framework for accountability across all organizational levels to enhance service quality and ensure patient care standards.
Infection Prevention and Control
- A disease cluster is defined by a high incidence of a specific microorganism in close timing and location, necessitating organized monitoring.
- Colonisation refers to organisms detected at specific sites without signs of infection, highlighting the importance of communication about communicable diseases among health workers.
Respiratory Protection Program
- Mandatory respiratory protection for health workers caring for patients with airborne pathogens.
- NSW Health Organizations must adopt guidelines from the CEC Respiratory Protection Program Manual.
Risk Assessment
- Infection risk is evaluated through patient assessments to identify potential infection sources, leading to prioritized intervention measures.
- Facial protection required for procedures involving possible exposure to body substances, maintaining mucous membrane safety.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Surgical Masks: Essential for protecting against splashes and droplets and must be worn during procedures involving potential exposure.
- Masks must be based on risk level assessment and should be utilized throughout any relevant exposure or task duration.
Waste Management Protocols
- Clinical waste must be disposed of properly in clinical waste streams, while sharps are to be discarded in designated sharps bins.
- Non-clinical waste has to be directed to general waste or specific recycling if applicable.
Respiratory Hygiene and Cough Etiquette
- Individuals with acute respiratory symptoms are required access to hand hygiene products and masks in NSW Health Organizations.
- Health workers exhibiting respiratory infection symptoms should not attend work, following local or state protocols for potential respiratory infections.
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Description
This quiz covers key aspects of infection prevention and control practices in healthcare settings as outlined in the NSW Health Policy Directive. It also explores the legal and legislative framework that supports these policies. Test your knowledge and understanding of the principles that ensure safety and compliance in healthcare environments.
