Download Infectious Diseases Policy - Girraween Activities Centre

Infectious Diseases Policy
Policy Statement
 We aim to provide a safe and hygienic environment that will promote the health and wellbeing of the children. We will
take all reasonable steps to prevent the spread of infectious diseases through the implementation of procedures that are
consistent with the guidelines of state health authorities, and these procedures will be consistently applied across the
centre.
Considerations
 The Education and Care Services National Law 2010
 The Education and Care Services National Regulation 2011
 Regulation 85 “Incident, injury and illness policies and procedures”
 Regulation 86 “Notification to parents of incident, injury, trauma and illness”
 Regulation 87 “Incident, injury, trauma and illness record”
 Regulation 88 “Infectious diseases”
 Regulation 168 “Education and Care Services must have policies and procedures”
 The Education and Care Services National Quality Standards 2011
 N.S.W. Department of Health Guidelines
 Public Health Act 1991and Regulation
 Australian Government, National Health and Research
 Disability Discrimination Act 1975
 N.S.W. Anti-discrimination Act 1977
 Work Health and Safety Act 2011
 Staying healthy in Child Care (5th Ed.)
 ACI Hygiene and Cleaning Policy, ACI First Aid Policy – Management of Incident, Injury, illness and Trauma, ACI
Immunisation Policy and ACI Laundry Policy
Procedures
Prevention
 Parents will be informed about Infectious Diseases policy on enrolment and all service policies can be read in full on our
web site – www.activitycentres.com.au.
 Parents will be asked to inform the service if their child becomes ill with an infectious disease.
 Immunisation status for children enrolled in the service will be sought from families on enrolment. See ACI Immunisation
Policy.
 Staff will be aware and have access to updated information on infectious diseases and on Department of Health
Guidelines on infectious disease. http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/infectious/a-z.asp “Staying
Healthy In Childcare” Preventing Infectious Diseases in Childcare, Fifth Edition: produced by the Australian
Government, National Health and Research council will be available for reference at all services for staff and families.
This can be found here:
http://www.decd.sa.gov.au/speced2/files/pages/chess/hsp/Pathways/Staying_healthy_in_child_c.pdf
 If a child is unwell at home the parents will be asked not to bring the child to the service.
 If a child becomes ill or develops symptoms at the centre Coordinator or supervisor is to contact parents/guardians and
inform them of child condition and request they come collect child or organise someone to come and collect child. Steps
to ensure child’s comfort will be taken in line with ACI First Aid Policy - Management of Incident, Injury, illness and
Trauma.
 A high level of Hygiene will be maintained at all times by ensuring that staff, children and visitors adhere to ACI Hygiene
and Cleaning policy and ACI Laundry Policy.
 Our service will be cleaned regularly in line with ACI Hygiene and Cleaning policy and ACI Laundry Policy.
 Staff are to model and maintain appropriate Hygiene practices and encourage children to adopt these practices.
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Activity Centres Incorporated is a Community Based not for profit organisation managed by a parent Committee
Infectious Diseases Policy
Infection Control Procedures
 All staff dealing with open sores, cuts and bodily fluids with any child or adult shall wear disposable gloves. Bodily fluids
will be cleaned and disposed of in line with ACI Hygiene and Cleaning Policy, ACI Laundry Policy and ACI First Aid
Policy – Management of Incident, Injury, illness and Trauma
 Staff with cuts, open wounds or skin disease such as dermatitis should cover their wounds and wear disposable gloves.
 Disposable gloves will be properly and safely discarded and staff are to wash their hands after doing so.
 If a child has an open wound it will be covered with a waterproof dressing securely attached.
 If bodily fluids or blood gets on the skin but there is no cut or puncture, wash away with hot soapy water.
 In the event of exposure through cuts or chapped skin, promptly wash away the fluid, encourage bleeding and wash in
cold or tepid soapy water.
 In the event of exposure to the mouth, promptly spit it out and rinse mouth with water several times.
 In the event of exposure to the eyes, promptly rinse with cold or tepid tap water or saline solution.
 In the event of having to perform CPR, disposable sterile mouth masks are to be used, or if unavailable a piece of cloth.
The centre coordinator/Nominated Supervisor will ensure that a mask is available at all times.
 Any exposure should be reported to the Co-ordinator and Management to ensure proper follow up procedures occur.
Note: Hot water may coagulate the blood and protect any virus from the soap or disinfectant. It is best to use cold or
tepid water temperatures in all cleaning processes.
 Any soiled clothing, lounge covers, cushions etc should be handled following ACI Laundry Policy.
 Any blood or bodily fluid spills will be cleaned up immediately, following ACI Hygiene and Cleaning Policy, unless site of
injury is needed to be checked by Police as outlined in ACI First Aid Policy – Management of Incident, Injury, illness and
Trauma
Management of Infectious Disease Outbreak
 Children and staff will be excluded from the service if they are ill with any contagious illness. This includes diarrhoea and
conjunctivitis. Parents/Families who bring children to the service will be asked to take them home immediately or called
to collect them as soon as staff realise the child is unwell.
 If child becomes ill while being cared for at the service, staff are to follow ACI First Aid Policy – Management of Incident,
Injury, Illness and trauma. Staff are to complete an ACI illness report and if the illness requires medical attention the
regulatory authority must be notified within 24hour by the Nominated Supervisor.
 In the event of an outbreak of vaccine preventable disease at the service or school attended by children, parents or
children not immunised or whose immunisation status is unclear will be required to stay at home for the duration of the
outbreak, for their own protection. Payment of fees will be required to maintain child’s position at the service for the
duration of the exclusion period. See ACI Immunisation Policy.
 The Public Health unit will be notified if any child contracts a vaccine preventable disease.
 Schools that children in care attend should also be informed of any infectious disease outbreaks at the service.
 The period of exclusion will be based on the recommendations outlined by the Australian Government, National Health
and Research council. The recommendation will be available at the service for viewing. Exclusions can be found here:
https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/publications/attachments/ch43poster4.pdf
 The decision to exclude or re-admit a child or staff member will be the responsibility of the coordinator based on the
child’s/staff’s symptoms, medical opinion and Department of Health guideline’s for individuals who have an infectious
disease or who have been exposed to an infectious disease.
 The service maintains the right to exclude children and staff from the service who have a general illness for the period of
24hours, to allow the illness time to subside and for normal activity and diet to be introduced. The exclusion also
prevents others from contracting the illness. This 24 hour exclusion for general illness includes –
- After vomiting/diarrhoea and any bowel or upset stomach – means 24 hours after vomiting and diarrhoea
has stopped and child/adult has resumed a full diet.
- Temperature – means the child/adult has a temperature that has stayed at ‘normal levels’ for a period of
24 hours without the aid of paracetamol or other aid.
- 24 hour exclusion after commencing a course of antibiotics, to allow the medication to take effect and
allows time to observe for any adverse effects of medication.
 The manager, coordinator or shift supervisor have the right to refuse access if concerned about the child’s health.
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Activity Centres Incorporated is a Community Based not for profit organisation managed by a parent Committee
Infectious Diseases Policy
 Parents or emergency contact of all children in care will be informed about the occurrence of an infectious disease in the
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centre ensuring that the individual rights of staff or children are not infringed upon and confidentiality is maintained at all
times.
Children and staff with diarrhoea will be excluded for 24 hours after the symptoms have disappeared or after a normal
stool.
The manager/co-ordinator will follow the recommendations as outlined in the health department document.
A doctor’s clearance certificate will be required for all infectious diseases such as diphtheria, hepatitis A, polio,
tuberculosis, typhoid and paratyphoid before returning to the centre.
All staff will ensure proper hygiene practices are carried out as outlined in the ACI Hygiene and Cleaning Policy.
All staff will be advised upon appointment to the position to maintain their immunity to common childhood diseases,
tetanus and Hepatitis B through immunisation with their local healthcare professional.
Notification
Infectious diseases:
 Under the provisions of the Public Health Act 1991and Regulation, doctors, hospital chief executives (or general
managers), pathology laboratories, directors of childcare centre’s and school principles are required to notify the
following diseases:
o diphtheria
o mumps
o measles
o pertussis (whooping cough)
o poliomyelitis
o rubella (German measles)
o Tetanus
o Or two or more cases of gastroenteritis/diarrhoea.
Note that congenital malformation, cystic fibrosis, hypothyroidism, phenylketonuria, pregnancy with a child having a
congenital malformation and thalassaemia major are also notifiable by laboratories and CEO’s (for CEO’s in a child<1 year
old).
 An health notice will be displayed of any outbreaks outlining description, Incubation period, Infectious period,
Responsibilities of childcare providers and parents, controlling the spread of infection, prevention & treatment will be
placed on display for notifying parents. Factsheets will also be provided, these can be sourced from NSW department of
Health web site: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/infectious/factsheets/Pages/default.aspx Factsheets can also be sourced
in languages other than English at the following web site:
http://www.mhcs.health.nsw.gov.au/publicationsandresources#b_start=0
 Emails will also be sent out to all parents’ emails to inform them of any outbreaks as well as information on the illness.
 Infectious diseases should be directed to the local public health unit, and should be notified within 24 hours of diagnosis.
Please refer to “Staying Healthy In Childcare” Preventing Infectious Diseases in Childcare, Fifth Edition:
http://www.decd.sa.gov.au/speced2/files/pages/chess/hsp/Pathways/Staying_healthy_in_child_c.pdf
Management of HIV/AIDS and Hep B and C
 Under the federal disability act and equal opportunity act, there will be no discrimination based on a child, families, staff
members HIV status. Being infected with HIV is not grounds for exclusion.
 There is no obligation, legal or otherwise for anyone to inform an employer or service provider of their own or their child’s
HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B/C or other blood borne virus status. As such the service takes the view that all individuals are
potentially infectious and that infection control is to be followed at all times.
o All body fluids spills and abrasions are a potential hazards and staff will be required maintain safe and hygienic
practices to prevent cross contamination and follow ACI Hygiene and Cleaning Policy, ACI First Aid Policy –
Management of Incident, Injury, illness and trauma, and ACI Laundry Policy.
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Activity Centres Incorporated is a Community Based not for profit organisation managed by a parent Committee
Infectious Diseases Policy
o Staff are required to take care of their own health and safety and that of others in the workplace at all times.
 If staff have been informed of a child, family or colleagues health status, this information is to remain confidential at all
times. The service is under no obligation to advise other families of a child or staff members HIV status.
 Any child, family or staff member who has HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis B/C or other blood borne virus status is not to be
discriminated against. Children are to be treated as any other child attending the service. All families are to be treated
as any other family at the service and all staff are to be treated as any other staff member at the service.
Checklist for staff
 Staff should refer any illness to the coordinator.
 Staff should ensure that the child who is ill is kept comfortable until their family arrives to collect them.
 Children with infectious diseases should be kept separate to avoid the spread of infection.
 Infectious diseases should be reported to the regulatory authority and health department.
 Staff should always wash their hands after dealing with persons whom are ill.
 Gloves should be worn at all times when dealing with bodily fluids.
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Policy is only endorsed if initialled by 2 members of the management committee
Endorsed by the Management Committee on the 28th March 2016
Illness and Infectious Diseases Policy is to be reviewed by the 28th March 2018
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Activity Centres Incorporated is a Community Based not for profit organisation managed by a parent Committee