Assignment Task

Details

This assessment task is designed to assess your knowledge to implement and monitor infection prevention and control standards, policies and procedures.

Question

1. Locate the NHMRC Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare online and provide an overall summary of the below sections

2. Conduct research on the NSQHS (The National Safety and Quality Health Service) Standards and in your own words provide a brief description of the standard outlined below.

3. Describe how manufacturer documentation guides infection prevention and control with regards to:

• Surface cleaning
• Workplace equipment

4. a. Describe four (4) common infection risks and control measures for each identified risk for a health workplace. An example has been provided for you.

b. What are the four (4) steps that you would take if you have an exposure incident?

5. Describe how the workplace can implement and monitor effective infection control procedures. In your response, consider the following:

a. Why is it important to identify the different infection and control procedures and practices at the workplace?

b. How the workplace can assess the effectiveness of the current controls?

c. How the workplace can monitor their infection control processes as an ongoing process? Provide at least two (2) methods the workplace can use.

d. Workplace hierarchies for the reporting of infection control concerns and breaches.

e. What infection control training is required for health staff, and why is this an ongoing process?

6. a. Explain what the hierarchy of control is and when it is used.

b. List the different hierarchies with a brief explanation of each.

7. Describe how each of the following types of infectious agents is classified

8. Describe the process of colonisation, infection and disease.

9. Complete the table below to describe the steps of the Chain of Infection.

10. Complete the table below to describe the steps of the Chain of Infection.

11. Describe how each of the following is a reservoir. Provide one (1) example of an infectious agent for each type of reservoir.

12. What are the four (4) main portals of exit in humans?

13. Describe the following means of transmission

14. Provide five (5) examples of portals of entry in humans.

15. a. Provide five (5) examples of portals of entry in humans.

b. List five (5) factors that increase susceptibility to infection.

Answer the following questions on personal hygiene practices.

a. Describe why the following personal hygiene practices are important in the workplace:

• Bathing
• Grooming (e.g. hair, nails)
• Wearing clean clothes

b. Describe why it is important not to come to work when ill

c. Describe why it is important to use safe respiratory and cough etiquette

d. Describe the processes you should follow to launder work clothing and why this is important as an infection transmission precaution. 

17. Answer the following questions on hand hygiene

a. Describe three (3) ways that you can reduce the likelihood of irritation to the skin as a result of hand hygiene

b. Describe the principles of hand care relating to:

• Jewellery and watches
• Fingernails
• Skin integrity and precautions that should be taken if there are breaks in the skin or skin conditions

18. a. When is hand hygiene required in a healthcare workplace per the 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene?

b. When is hand hygiene required in a non-healthcare workplace? 

19. a. Briefly describe the techniques for applying the following PPE (in a sequence) to prevent contamination

b. Briefly describe the techniques for removing and disposing of the following PPE (in a sequence) to prevent contamination

20. a. What is a fit test for masks, and why is this important?

b. What are the two (2) types of fit tests?

c. Describe the fit testing requirements in accordance with the Australian Standards AS/NZ 1715:2009.

21. Answer the following questions on workplace procedures.

a. Describe waste management procedures for the safe handling and disposal of sharps.

b. Describe the procedures for the handling of linen and clothing.

c. Describe procedures for disposing of general waste that minimise the risk of infection transmission. In your response ensure that you address the differences between the requirements in healthcare and non-healthcare workplaces.

d. What steps would be added onto this process if the waste was contaminated (e.g., included used tissues)?

22. Describe the five (5) principles of aseptic techniques as outlined by the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare 2019.

23. In the workplace, an incident report is completed after exposure to infection has occurred. Explain why the following parties may require a copy of an incident report.

24. Answer the following questions on cleaning.

a. What is routine environment and equipment cleaning?

b. What are minimally touched surfaces and how should they be cleaned?

c. What are frequently touched surfaces and how should they be cleaned?

25. Answer the following questions in relation to the roles and responsibilities for infection prevention and control.

a. What are your roles and responsibilities in a non-health care workplace in relation to infection prevention and control?

b. What are your roles and responsibilities in a health care workplace in relation to infection prevention and control?

26. Answer the following questions in relation to reprocessing of reusable equipment and instruments.

a. What do you mean by reprocessing of reusable equipment or instrument?

b. What does Action 3.17 state regarding reusable equipment and devices?

27. Specified below are the various types of PPE. You are required to list at least two (2) grades of each of the masks, gloves, protective eyewear and face shields and gowns and aprons and provide a brief explanation on how you can safely and effectively use these Personal Protective Equipment.

28. When is it recommended to perform hand hygiene with soap and water instead of alcohol-based hand rub? Identify at least two (2) situations. You may want to refer to the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare (2019).

29. When implementing enhanced cleaning” procedures, what needs to be added to the normal cleaning routine?