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Fact Sheet
Infection control—infectious airborne diseases
How many of the patients who were in your waiting
room in the last year infected another? Have you
thought about your responsibility to your patient and
practice staff on the issue of transmission of respiratory
disease?
The management of infectious diseases in waiting rooms
is not a new issue. Infection control must be an integral
part of both general and specialist practice.
Over the past few years awareness of SARS, Avian Flu
and more recently H1N1 has created a hazard which has
alerted doctors to the importance of being vigilant with
handling of actual and potential infectious diseases.
Adding these diseases to the ‘not-so-new’ tuberculosis,
Meningitis and Chickenpox places an unprecedented
importance on having a policy and procedure for waiting
room management.
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You should have a policy and procedure for the handling
of suspicious cases. It must be readily available, up to
date, updated annually (at least) and enforced. Make
sure that your practice staff are familiar with the policy.
Your practice should have facilities that would
accommodate the need to isolate a patient in a single
room and enable staff to implement the required
precautions for infection control.
An often asked question is how far does a doctor’s duty
extend with regard to making sure that patients are not
cross infected while sitting in the waiting room?
Your suspicion of an infectious respiratory disease should
remain until you have a plausible alternative or your
suspicions are confirmed. Seek assistance from relevant
authorities, your Department of Health, your College and
specialist colleagues where necessary.
We already know that case law exists which supports the
proposition that a hospital owes a duty to establish
adequate procedures to safeguard patients from cross
infection. While there is no case law to support the
application of this proposition for doctors in private
practice, it is prudent to assume that the proposition
would more than likely include private practitioners.
No matter the outcome of managing suspicious
situations, diplomacy, sensitivity and communication
with your patients are vital. The very nature of dealing
with potential infectious diseases is one that may easily
be misunderstood by patients and create feelings of fear,
embarrassment and possibly discrimination or being
singled out.
The following risk management tips are discussed in
general terms. MIGA recommends that you source
relevant information from your Colleges and from
Departments of Health. In particular the 2010 Australian
Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in
Healthcare available from the National Health and
Medical Research Council’s website at http://
www.nhmrc.gov.au/node/30290.
It is essential that you assess the risk of your practice
being exposed to these serious airborne infections and
the ability of the practice to handle them in a way that
limits risks to patients and staff and in doing so
minimises the risk of your liability.
The identification of patients carrying possible infection
should be dealt with by ensuring that you, your practice
staff and to some degree your patients, are well
educated about the common symptoms, modes and risks
of transmission.
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Use poster material throughout the waiting areas and
consultation rooms along with information pamphlets
that explain to patients the possible risks of exposure,
the general and specific symptoms associated with an
infectious process and the need for them to notify
practice staff.
Risk Resources
© MIGA March 2011
Source: MIGA Bulletin February 2006
Fact Sheet
Infection control—infectious airborne diseases
Disclaimer:
The purpose of this document is to provide general information regarding risk management issues affecting health care
professionals in Australia. The information contained in this
document is of a general nature only and does not purport to
take into account, or be relevant to, your personal circumstances. MIGA assumes no responsibility whatsoever if all or
any part of this information or advice is relied on, or acted
upon, by you. When considering what risks arise from your
own practice, you should seek professional advice in relation
to your specific circumstances. Please contact us on Freecall
1800 777 156 (National) for advice specific to your needs.
Contacting MIGA
National Free Call:
1800 777 156
24 hour emergency
advisory service:
(08) 8238 4444
Website:
www.miga.com
Email:
[email protected]
Adelaide (Head office)
Tel: (08) 8238 4444
Fax: (08) 8238 4445
Brisbane
Tel: (07) 3025 3259
Fax: (07) 3025 3300
Melbourne
Tel: (03) 9832 0847
Fax: (03) 9832 0610
Sydney
Tel: (02) 8860 9525
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Fax: (02) 8860 9595
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Risk Resources
© MIGA March 2011