Medi-Nav Orientation Resource v6, 2024

| 3 3.5.5 Transmission-based precautions Transmission-based precautions are used in addition to standard precautions when there is a confirmed or suspected infectious agent presenting an increased risk of transmission to others. Implementation of transmission-based precautions involve continued use of standard precautions and may involve some or all the following: use of appropriate personal protective equipment, single rooms or cohorting of patients, restricted transfer of patients, and environmental controls such as enhanced cleaning and disinfection and air handling requirements. Further information can be found in the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare (2019) available at https://nhmrc.gov.au/health-advice/public-health/preventing-infection 3.5.6 Hand hygiene Hand hygiene is the single most important strategy to reduce the risk of infection. Hand washing comprises mechanical activity, use of soap and water, rinsing and drying to reduce the number of micro-organisms on hands. Hand hygiene may also be performed using an alcohol-based hand rub unless hands are visibly soiled, or when Clostridium difficile or non-enveloped viruses (such as norovirus) are known or suspected to be present. The key five moments for hand hygiene are: + before touching a patient + before a procedure + after a procedure or body fluid exposure risk + after touching a patient + after touching a patient’s surroundings Hand hygiene must also be performed after the removal of gloves. Clinical hand washing (with anti- microbial soap) should be done prior to performing invasive or clinical procedures. An online learning package for healthcare workers is available on the Hand Hygiene Australia web page here: https://www.hha.org.au/online-learning/complete-a-module 3.5.7 Sharps management Sharps are objects or devices having sharp points, protuberances or cutting edges (e.g. syringe needles, scalpel blades, cannulas). Contaminated sharps pose the greatest risk to healthcare workers of exposure to blood borne viruses. They should be handled with due care. For information about sharps handling and disposal, refer to: https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/diseases-infection/infection- prevention/standard-precautions/sharps-safety | 31