Question

a) Identify five requirements specified by the Australian guidelines for the prevention and control of infection in healthcare which relate to the management of medication equipment and used containers.

b) Outline the eight steps you follow to correctly wash your hands

c) When should you wash your hands?

d) Specify five procedures which should be followed for the assurance of safety when disposing of and handling sharps.

e) When should you wear gloves?

Answer 1

1.The Australian guidelines for the prevention and control of infection in health care provide evidence based recommendation that outline the critical aspect of infection prevention and control focusing on core principles and priorities areas for action..

They provide a risk management framework to ensure the basic principles of infection prevention and control can be applied to a wide range of health care setting. The level of risk may differ in different types of health care facilities, risk assessment are encouraged as part of the decision making and use of guidelines recommendation.

When implementing the guidelines recommendation of all healthcare facilities need to be considered for the risk of transmission of infection and implement according to their specific setting and circumstances .

2.Steps of hand washing

1-wash over palmar surface of handa

2-wash the dorsal surface and interdigital spaces

3-wash the interdigital spaces

4-wahsh the thumbs

5-wash the fingers

6-wash the fingernails

7-wash the wrist

8-Rinse with water from above downwards (from fingertips to elbow)

3.When to wash hands : before and after examing the patient, before and after surgical procedure, before and after eating, after going to toilet.

4.Handling of sharps :don't recap the needle, always keep fingers behind the needle while giving injection, destroy the needle tip soon after use, do not put the needle on the floor, do not exchange the needle without caps.