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Northern Victorian Division Social Programs
Policy & Procedure – Infection Control
Purpose:
To minimise the risk of infection from communicable diseases, and to control the
spread of such disease should infection occur in clients, residents or staff.
This policy covers all offices, residential facilities and any other location where NVDSP
has a duty of care over the individuals present as well as all staff (employees and
volunteers), residents, visitors and clients.
The Network Director and Program Managers are responsible for the implementation
of this policy.
Scope:
This policy and procedure applies to all employees of NVDSP; students and volunteers
of The Salvation Army (TSA) who work within Northern Victorian Division (NVD).
Including residents, visitors and clients
Related Documents:
TSA Risk Management Manual
TSA Minute - HIP
Related Standards:
QICSA Standard 1.7 & 2.2
ONE DHS Criteria 3.5
Legislation:
Work Health and Safety 2011 – Commonwealth
The Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008
Health records Act 2001 - Victoria
Information Privacy Act 2000 - Victoria
Privacy Act 1988 - Commonwealth
Policy:
1. NVDSP aims to create and maintain healthy and safe environments in which to
undertake its activities and programs.
2. The transmission of infection is called “cross infection” and the risk increases as
individuals have less isolation from each other. Higher risk when a
congregate/residential facility is involved (Eg. AOD residential Unit, communal living)
Much lower risk where clients have separate living quarters (Eg. Individual housing
units)
3. Risk of infection is also higher for many of the clients seeking support from NVDSP.
This is a consequence of poorer general health for homeless people, those
experiencing poverty and indigenous people when compared to the general
population.
4. To ensure an effective infection control program this policy uses a two-tier structure;
 Standard precautions
 Additional precautions
Definitions:
Standard Precautions - work practices that are implemented to provide a basic level of
infection control regardless of the infection status (known or unknown) of clients,
residents or staff.
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Additional Precautions - These are preventative measures that can be taken to avoid
infection and it’s spread, rather than waiting for the confirmation of a diagnosis.
Guidelines
Standard precautions include;
1. good hygiene practices, including hand washing
2. the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as barriers (Eg. gloves and masks)
3. the appropriate handling and disposal of clinical waste, including sharps
4. hygienic cleaning and care of buildings, furniture and equipment
Staff must use standard precautions as part of their daily routine. This means staff should assume that all
clients, residents and staff are potentially infected and therefore use standard precautions. This is particularly
important when there is potential to come into contact with;
 any body fluid (except sweat) Eg. blood, saliva, tears, urine, faeces, sputum, vomit
 non-intact skin such and cuts, grazes and wounds
 mucous membranes such as; mouth, nose, eyes
 dried blood and other body substances, including saliva
Additional precautions are work practices that are implemented to provide the second level of infection
control where there is known or suspected infection.
Transmission may occur:
 Through the air – Airborne Eg. Chickenpox, measles
 By droplets - Droplet Eg. Influenza
 By direct or in-direct Contact
 Combination of any of the above.
Additional precautions include:
1. segregating or isolating residents and clients
2. separate toilet facilities for those infected
3. wearing of masks – examples provided in “Additional Precautions” section below
4. rostering of immune staff Note: staff who are not immune to chicken pox should not care for residents
with shingles.
5. restricting movement within the building
6. restriction of visitors
7. Each site must implement systems to ensure early detection of cross infection, thereby ensuring the
infection is contained.
8. Appropriate signage is to be used to inform people of any risks and how to minimise those risks.
9. Where the infection controls are ineffective in eliminating cross infection an outbreak management
process is to be activated.
10. Where an outbreak occurs in a residential setting this must be reported promptly to the Divisional Risk
Management Consultant. (Some infectious diseases must be reported to National or State Authorities)
11. Encourage staff to receive vaccination where it is available;
a. Hepatitis A (Cleaners)
b. Hepatitis B (All staff – TSA program cost)
Procedure
Staff Hygiene (To be maintained at all times);
1. Personal cleanliness including daily showering and clean clothes
2. Enclosed shoes to avoid contact contamination and sharps injury
3. Hands should be maintained in good condition by using aqueous-based hand creams (cracked skin is a
higher risk factor)
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4. Open cuts or abrasions must be covered with a waterproof protective dressing
5. Use of disinfectant hand gel (E.g. AQUIM)
6. Hands must be washed frequently:
o Before eating/having a meal
o As soon as hands are visibly dirty
o before and after significant client/resident contact.
o After handling client clothing, belongings or equipment used (Eg. Pens)
o After removing gloves
o After handling soiled linen
o After using the toilet, coughing, sneezing or nose blowing
o After smoking
o After handling animals
o After disposing of waste
Additional precautions:
 Wear disposable gloves when handling client belongings, confronted with soiled material or exposed to
body fluids.
 Wear Type 2 facemasks where there is a known risk, or a high likelihood of exposure to infection E.g.
Influenza Pandemic
 Type 2 provides 2-way prevention of germ movement as wearer breathes in and out.
 Type 1 (dust masks) are inadequate for protection against spread of disease
 The health risk of not wearing a mask needs to be weighed up against the potential for creating a
“barrier” between client and staff member if a mask is worn
 Wipe over frequently touched surfaces (Eg. Counters, chairs) with disinfectant regularly
 Disinfect blood, faeces, vomit etc. with diluted bleach
 Dispose of sharps in a suitable “sharps container”
 Encourage cough and sneeze etiquette to minimise the spread of germs (Eg cover cough or sneeze with
arm, but not with hand (which would spread germs onto surfaces)
 Isolate unwell people as much as is possible
 Staff who are unwell should stay home from work and consult their medical professional if concerned
about their health
Managing potential infection outbreaks:
1. Staff member to discuss the risk or potential risk with their Line Manager
2. The Program Manager and relevant staff member will discuss the risk or potential risk with The
Divisional Human Resource Manager and a course of action will be agreed e.g. seek further expert
advice, contact Territory Head Quarters or the Department of Health for further
information/instruction.
Training
1. All staff (Employed and volunteers) will receive training on infection control during their induction process.
2. Bi-annual refresher training will be provided to all staff.
3. The Regional Director and Program Managers will receive training in risk management and developing
business continuity plans
Relevant Links & Resources:

http://ideas.health.vic.gov.au/resources.asp
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http://ideas.health.vic.gov.au/diseases.asp
http://www.health.vic.gov.au
Nurse on Call 1800 60 60 24
Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Unit
Department of Health
Telephone: 1300 651 160
Fax: (03) 9096 9174
Email: [email protected]
For urgent public health enquiries outside office hours, please telephone the Department's after hours
service on 1300 790 733.
NVD Social Programs
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Last Reviewed:
Infection Control
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