INFECTION CONTROL POLICY
Introduction
Staff and Management at Dockside Medical Hub is committed to providing quality healthcare services in a safe and hygienic environment. This policy outlines the procedures and protocols to be followed by all staff of Dockside Medical Hub in order to minimise the risk of infection and ensure patient safety.
Scope
This policy applies to all staff, visitors and patients at Dockside Medical Hub, including but not limited to doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, receptionists and cleaners.
Responsibilities
- All staff must adhere to this policy at all times and ensure that any visitors or contractors on site comply with the requirements outlined in this document.
- The Practice Manager is responsible for ensuring that this policy is implemented effectively and regularly reviewed.
- All staff members are responsible for their own infection control practices when providing patient care or services.
- Clinical staff must complete at least two hours of infection control training annually as a part of their continuing professional development (CPD).
General Practices
- Hand hygiene: All staff must practice good hand hygiene at all times, including before and after patient contact and after handling potentially contaminated items or surfaces (e.g., medical equipment). Alcohol-based hand rubs should be used where possible for routine decontamination purposes; however, soap and water should be used if hands are visibly soiled or contaminated with body fluids or blood products.
- Protective clothing: All clinical staff must wear appropriate protective clothing when dealing with patients (e.g., gloves, aprons, face masks). Protective clothing must be changed between each patient contact or whenever it becomes visibly soiled or contaminated with body fluids or blood products.
- Disposal of sharps: All sharps waste must be disposed of in puncture-proof containers located close to the point of use (e.g., near examination beds). Containers should be emptied regularly by an authorised person wearing appropriate protective equipment (e.g., gloves).
- Cleaning/disinfection: All surfaces that come into contact with patients (e.g., examination beds, chairs, counters) must be cleaned/disinfected between each patient contact using appropriate cleaning solutions/chemicals as per manufacturer’s instructions (e.g., chlorine-based disinfectants).