STANDARD PRECAUTIONS
REMOTE HEALTH ATLAS – Section 27: INFECTION CONTROL
REMOTE HEALTH ATLAS
STANDARD PRECAUTIONS
1.
General Information
Standard Precautions are work practices required to achieve a minimal level of infection
control for the treatment of all clients. They are designed to protect both the health care
worker and client.
Standard precautions of infection control are to be used in the care and treatment of all
clients. For clients with suspected or identified infectious conditions, Additional Precautions
apply.
The legislative framework to promote occupational health and safety in the Northern Territory
is the Workplace Health and Safety Act.
2.
Definitions
Nil
3.
Responsibilities
3.1
All Staff


Observe standard precautions
Be aware of Biohazard Exposure Management in the event of a breach in use of
standard precautions resulting in exposure
3.2



Health Centre Manager
Ensure standard precautions are undertaken
Ensure Personal Protection Equipment is available to staff
Be aware of the Workplace Health and Safety Act
3.3

Professional Practice Nurse
Review and maintain Infection Control information
4.
Procedure
Standard Precautions apply to:
- Blood (including dried blood)
- All other body fluids, secretions and excretions (excluding sweat), regardless of
whether they contain visible blood
- Non-intact skin
- Mucous membranes
Standard Precautions for Infection Control include:
- Personal hygiene, particularly hand washing before and after all client contacts, to
reduce the number of infectious agents on the skin. The CRANAplus Clinical
Procedures Manual for Remote and Rural Practice provides information on hand
washing techniques. Also see Aseptic Technique.
- Appropriate use of Personal Protection Equipment, which may include gloves,
impermeable gowns, plastic aprons, mask/face shields and eye protection
- Appropriate Sharps Handling and Waste Management
Developed by: Quality & Safety Team
Endorsed by: Quality & Safety Manager
Release Date: September 2006
Page 1
Reviewed: January 2008
Next Review: January 2011
STANDARD PRECAUTIONS
REMOTE HEALTH ATLAS – Section 27: INFECTION CONTROL
4.1
Appropriate reprocessing of reusable equipment and instruments; including
appropriate use of disinfectants (see Instrument Cleaning & Sterilisation)
Use of single use equipment
Environmental controls, including design and maintenance of premises, cleaning and
spill management
Managing a Breach in the use of Standard Precautions
A breach occurs when routine practices of infection control breakdown, such as handling of
sharps resulting in a needle-stick injury, personal protective equipment not used
appropriately, or re-usable equipment used prior to reprocessing. For details see Biohazard
Exposure Management.
5.
Forms
Nil
6.
References and Supporting Documents
Related Atlas Items:
Additional Precautions
Airborne Precautions
Aseptic Technique
Biohazard Exposure Management
Contact Precautions
Droplet Precautions
Instrument Cleaning & Sterilisation
Personal Protection Equipment
Sharps Handling
Skin Precautions
Staff Immunisation
Waste Management
Flowchart – Standard & Additional Precautions
Royal Darwin Hospital Infection Control Manual
Workplace Health and Safety Act
CRANAplus Clinical Procedures Manual for Remote and Rural Practice
The ACHS EQuIP 4 Guide Part 1 Accreditation, Standards, Guidelines. Criterion 1.5.2
Infection Control System. The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards 2006.
Developed by: Quality & Safety Team
Endorsed by: Quality & Safety Manager
Release Date: September 2006
Page 2
Reviewed: January 2008
Next Review: January 2011