Medi-Nav Orientation Resource v6, 2024

3.5 Disease and infection prevention The aim of an infection prevention and control program is to improve the outcomes for patients and staff by decreasing the risk of healthcare associated infection. Infection prevention and control is managed locally in each HHS. 3.5.1 Acute respiratory infections The latest information about COVID-19 and other acute respiratory infections, including clinical guidelines, and infection control guidance p is available to Queensland clinicians via the Queensland Health website. For further information refer to : https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines- procedures/novel-coronavirus-qld-clinicians 3.5.2 Communicable Diseases and Infection Management The Communicable Diseases and Infection Prevention (CDIP) team within the Communicable Diseases Branch, Queensland Public Health and Scientific Services aims to support infection prevention and control preparedness and response. CDIP publishes the various infection control guidelines that outline critical aspects of infection prevention and control and include the guideline for the management of healthcare workers infected with blood borne viruses. For further information refer to: https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/diseases-infection/infection- prevention 3.5.3 Disease transmission Transmission of micro-organisms with the potential to cause infection requires the presence of three elements: a susceptible host, an agent and an environment facilitating the interaction between host and agent. Standard precautions such as hand hygiene, immunisation, adherence to the principles of asepsis, use of personal protective equipment, routine environmental cleaning, reprocessing of reusable medical equipment and instruments, respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, waste management and appropriate handling of linen, form the basis for the prevention and control of infection in healthcare settings. 3.5.4 Standard precautions Standard precautions are: + the primary strategy for minimising the transmission of healthcare associated infections + standard safe work practices that are to be applied to all patients and clients regardless of their known or presumed infectious status + minimum requirements for the control of infection in all settings and all situations, including those where a high risk of infection transmission exists + designed to protect both patients and healthcare workers