Infection Prevention and Control
Last updated May 7, 2024
During winter risk of exposure to respiratory illnesses increases. COVID-19 and other respiratory illness all share a similar mode of transmission. It’s important for your business to have measures in place to control the risk.
For staff and patients:
- Encouraging Immunisation: Promoting vaccination for both staff members and patients, ensures they are protected from vaccine-preventable infectious diseases. Immunisation not only protects individuals but can also help to prevent the spread viruses within the workplace.
- Stay Home if Unwell: Remind staff members to stay home if they're feeling unwell with cold or flu-like symptoms. This is essential to prevent the potential spread of illness to colleagues and patients.
- Precautions and PPE: Utilising Standard and Transmission-based Precautions, along with the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), is critical for minimising the risk of exposure to respiratory illnesses.
- Hand Hygiene: Promoting good hand hygiene practices, such as regular handwashing with soap and water or using hand sanitizing gel, is an effective way to reduce the transmission of respiratory viruses.
- Signage: Displaying signage throughout the surgery and waiting room areas reinforces the importance of hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
- Patient Guidance: Encouraging patients with respiratory symptoms to wear surgical masks and maintain physical distance while in the waiting room helps minimize the risk of spreading illness to others. Providing tissues and masks at the entrance further supports this effort.
By implementing these measures, you're taking proactive steps to protect the health and safety of both your staff and patients during the winter months when the risk of respiratory illnesses tends to increase. Consistent adherence to these guidelines is key to effectively mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses within your business.
Please refer to Infection Prevention and Control Manual COVID-19 and other Acute Respiratory Infections - Clinical Excellence Commission