Managing patients with infections and colonisations Overview of what is required Suggested approach Examples of evidence Consumers who are known to have an infection Ensure protocols outline how consumers will be Audit of risk assessment practices against or are contagious may need to be excluded from assessed, treated, deferred or alerted to risks guidelines and policies. the service for a period of time. when making appointments during periods Reports from surveillance activities. when infections may be more common e.g. Exclusion of consumers may not always be Audit data on the use of risk alerts. seasonal influenza during winter or local feasible when services are provided in the home Review of maintenance and air handling system outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis. environment. Clinicians should utilise appropriate requirements. standard and transmission-based precautions Where relevant, analyse reports on when providing care in a home (see ). maintenance and air handling systems and consumer’s identify actions to reduce the risks identified. Review audit results or evaluation reports of the cleaning activities undertaken by cleaning staff or cleaning contractors. 3.13 Developing and implementing protocols relating to the admission, receipt and transfer of patients with an infection 3.13.1 Mechanisms are in use for checking for pre-existing healthcare associated infections or communicable disease on presentation for care 3.13.2 A process for communicating a infectious status is in place whenever responsibility for care is transferred between service providers patient’s or facilities The intent of these actions is to minimise Ensure policies, procedures and/or protocols Policies, procedures and/or protocols that exposure of the workforce and consumers to are in place that outline how consumers will be outline the identification and management of infectious agents transmissible from other assessed, treated, deferred or alerted to risks: consumers with pre-existing healthcare consumers presenting for care or being referred associated infection or communicable disease. on presentation or commencement of services for treatment. when making appointments during periods Policies, procedures and/or protocols that when infections may be more common e.g. address the clinical risk of handover for Mechanisms should be in place to enable the seasonal influenza or local outbreaks of viral consumers with infections. workforce to effectively assess infection risk or gastroenteritis. identify infectious diseases on presentation or Relevant documentation from committees and Planning for the management of consumers with when consumers commence services. other meetings related to healthcare associated suspected or confirmed infections may involve: infection screening. Key times when a infectious consumer’s status should be evaluated and documented include:
Managing patients with infections and colonisations Overview of what is required Suggested approach Examples of evidence Consumers who are known to have an infection or are contagious may need to be excluded from the service for a period of time. Exclusion of consumers may not always be feasible when services are provided in the home environment. Clinicians should utilise appropriate standard and transmission-based precautions when providing care in a consumer’s home (see ). Ensure protocols outline how consumers will be assessed, treated, deferred or alerted to risks when making appointments during periods when infections may be more common e.g. seasonal influenza during winter or local outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis. Where relevant, analyse reports on maintenance and air handling systems and identify actions to reduce the risks identified. Review audit results or evaluation reports of the cleaning activities undertaken by cleaning staff or cleaning contractors. Audit of risk assessment practices against guidelines and policies. Reports from surveillance activities. Audit data on the use of risk alerts. Review of maintenance and air handling system requirements. 3.13 Developing and implementing protocols relating to the admission, receipt and transfer of patients with an infection 3.13.1 Mechanisms are in use for checking for pre-existing healthcare associated infections or communicable disease on presentation for care 3.13.2 A process for communicating a patient’s infectious status is in place whenever responsibility for care is transferred between service providers or facilities The intent of these actions is to minimise exposure of the workforce and consumers to infectious agents transmissible from other consumers presenting for care or being referred for treatment. Mechanisms should be in place to enable the workforce to effectively assess infection risk or identify infectious diseases on presentation or when consumers commence services. Key times when a consumer’s infectious status should be evaluated and documented include: Ensure policies, procedures and/or protocols are in place that outline how consumers will be assessed, treated, deferred or alerted to risks: on presentation or commencement of services when making appointments during periods when infections may be more common e.g. seasonal influenza or local outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis. Planning for the management of consumers with suspected or confirmed infections may involve: Policies, procedures and/or protocols that outline the identification and management of consumers with pre-existing healthcare associated infection or communicable disease. Policies, procedures and/or protocols that address the clinical risk of handover for consumers with infections. Relevant documentation from committees and other meetings related to healthcare associated infection screening.
Guide-to-the-NSQHS-Standards-for-community-health-services-February-2016.docx