Infection Control

Induction for departmental staff

This is a comprehensive presentation.Presenters are encouraged to tailor the content to suit specific needs while covering relevant content.

Click on the picture to play the animation.

Overview

Infection control is important in departmental workplaces.

There are specific diseases that can spread easily in our workplaces if controls are not in place.

To protect your own health as well as the health of those around you, an understanding of infectious diseases, how they are spread and how to control them is fundamental.

Infectious diseases are diseases you can “catch”.

Humans are susceptible to a wide range of diseases that can be contracted from:

•Other people (e.g. measles)

•Insects (e.g. mosquitoes)

•Animals = zoonosis (e.g. bats, horses, cattle)

•The environment (e.g. contaminated water, waste).

Infectious Diseases

Departmental Workplaces

Infectious diseases spread easily in our workplaces - why?Groups of people, in close contact, for extended periods & on a daily basis e.g. classrooms

Culture of attendance (staff/students/others)Even when sick.

Possible contact with asymptomatic carrierse.g. contagious before the symptoms show.

Non-vaccinated populations

Environmental e.g. Returning to workplaces that may have been flooded, contaminated with waste water/surface water.

Hygiene issuese.g. poor cough & sneeze etiquette, hand washing

Workplace activities e.g. contact sports / special education / first aid

Work dutiese.g. cleaning & maintenance, toileting

Community engagemente.g. Visitors & volunteers

Curriculum e.g. Handling animals, food preparation and food consumption, science activities.

Locationse.g. Mosquito borne diseases (Ross River, Dengue, Japanese Encephalitis)

Departmental Workplaces continued…

Contact transmission – direct contact with infectious blood or body substances.

Droplet transmission – infectious agent in large droplets (respiratory secretions / splash / splatter).

Airborne transmission – infectious agent in aerosols and are inhaled.

Food-borne transmission – consumption of contaminated food.

Water-borne transmission – consumption of contaminated water.

Vector-borne transmission – carried by a vector e.g. mosquito bites etc.

How are infectious diseases transmitted – modes of transmission

Airborne/Droplet Transmission

Large particles (droplets) can carry viruses and bacteria through the air which can then be deposited onto mucous membranes (eye, nose, mouth) of a susceptible person (e.g. via sneezing, coughing, talking).

e.g. whooping cough, rubella, mumps, influenza, meningococcal disease.

Small particles (aerosols) that are airborne, may also be deposited on mucous membranes or inhaled directly.e.g. tuberculosis, Q fever, legionella, chicken pox, measles.

Contact Transmission - Direct

.

Direct contact When blood or bodily substances from a person or animal come in direct contact with another person in such a way that it can enter their body.

e.g. Infected blood or other bodily fluid enters another person’s system directly, via a wound or via mucous membrane e.g. needle stick injury, diseases passed from mother to foetus, saliva exchange.

e.g. Infected blood or other body fluid from an animal, enters another person’s system via a wound or via mucous membranes e.g. bat lyssavirus (scratch/bite), Ross River virus (mosquito).

Indirect Contactwhen germs from an infected host or other source are passively transmitted to another person e.g. via an inanimate object.

Inanimate objects: e.g. surfaces, keyboards, mouse, telephone, iPad, utensils, cups, toothbrushes, razors, soiled linen, taps and sinks etc.

Contact Transmission - Indirect

Controlling infectious diseases requires a “multi-faceted” approach considering:

• Modes of transmission• Evolving diseases and germ resistance• People’s behaviour, knowledge & beliefs• Environment (where we work, learn & play)• Changing circumstances & emergencies• Individual requirements & group requirements

The department therefore requires a tailoredInfection Control Program be implemented

Controlling Infectious Diseases

Infection Control Program

Key elements of and effective Infection Control Program

– Promote infection control as standard practice– Know the risks in your workplace, how diseases are

transmitted and how to implement controls.– Have processes and protocols in place – Have appropriate facilities and consumables (allocate funds)– Signage e.g. correct hand washing technique– Provide and take part in training sessions– Maintain records of training– Promote vaccination– Adopt a risk management approach to infection control

How to implement infection control

• The Queensland Health “Time Out” poster is an excellent quick reference resource.

• Download this poster for ready reference. http://www.health.qld.gov.au/ph/documents/cdb/timeout_poster.pdf

• Teachers/school staff and managers should model the recommended exclusion periods when they are unwell.

Potential Infectious Diseases in the workplace

If a staff or student/parent advises of an infectious disease….

1. Maintain confidentiality, but inform the appropriate person at your location (e.g. school admin/workplace manager)

2. Actions for School Admin/ Management

a) Determine the nature of the disease? (measles, chickenpox)

b) Confirm diagnosis (i.e. was a the disease diagnosed by a doctor?)

c) If confirmed by a doctor, seek relevant information from Qld Health.

d) When confirmed, the school / workplace may provide information to staff/school community to be aware of symptoms and recommended actions e.g. using a link to a Qld Health Fact Sheet.

Protocol for managing infectious diseases

• Schools / workplaces do not notify Qld Health, but can call them for advice if needed.

• If a prescribed contagious condition has been diagnosed the doctor or laboratory will notify Qld Health.

• Queensland Health will only notify a school in particular circumstances. e.g. a community cluster/outbreak.

Protocol for managing infectious diseases continued:

Hand Washing is one of the most important measures in preventing transmission of infection.

Hands should be washed using soap, water and then dried: •before

– handling, preparing or eating food

•before and after– assisting students with eating/meals – assisting students with toileting – providing first aid or medication – contact with an ill or injured person

•after – contact with blood or body fluids – (this includes your own e.g. sneezing/coughing)– removal of protective gloves – using the toilet; and – after contact with animals.

Preventing the spread of infection

Vaccination

• Vaccination not mandatory for staff or students of the department.

• However where a vaccination exists, this is the highest order of protection from the infectious disease.

• Vaccination boosts the immune system and creates immunity that protects from an infection without causing the suffering of the disease itself.  

• Most vaccines contain a little bit of the disease germ that is weak or dead. Vaccines do NOT contain the type of germ that makes you sick.

• Getting the vaccine is a much safer way to make antibodies without having to suffer the disease itself.

Occupation Specific Vaccination

Recommended Vaccinations for:

•Persons who work with children• Influenza

• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)

• Pertussis (whooping cough)

• Varicella (chicken pox)

•Staff working in early childhood education and care• All of the above plus hepatitis A.

Source: Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th Edition

Vaccination Funding

Staff Type Disease Funding Source

School CleanersSchool’s OfficersTeacher Aides

Hepatitis AHepatitis B

Workplace

Living and working in outer islands of Torres Strait

Japanese Encephalitis Workplace

At risk of acquiring TB Tuberculosis Workplace – check with TB Control unit

Ag studies – with risk of exposure to Q fever

Q fever Workplace

All staff participating in Annual Flu Program

Seasonal Influenza Funding determined locally

All staff National Immunisation Program vaccinations/boosters

Self funded.

Prescribed Contagious Conditions as defined by Queensland’s Public Health Act 2005 - Chapter 5 Part 2

• chickenpox (varicella) • diphtheria • enterovirus 71 • gastroenteritis • german measles (rubella) • haemophilus influenzae type b

(Hib) • hepatitis A

• influenza • measles • meningococcal disease (bacterial)• poliomyelitis • typhoid and paratyphoid • tuberculosis • whooping cough (pertussis)

Fact Sheet for Schools and Education and Care Services Public Health Act 2005 – Contagious Conditions Fact Sheet for Schools and Education and Care Services Information for Schools, Education and Care Services and Child Care Services

Prescribed Contagious Conditions

• Under the Public Health Act 2005 children with a prescribed contagious condition should not attend school or childcare until well and non-infectious.

• Unvaccinated children may need to stay away during a measles outbreak if they are at risk of infection or infecting others.

• following consultation with Qld Health , school Principals can require children to stay away for a specified period if they have or are suspected to have a contagious condition.

• Staff are expected to model appropriate behaviour and stay away from the workplace if they are unwell or infectious.

• If a staff member contracts a work caused serious illness as defined by Work Health and Safety Legislation, this is to be notified to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland by the workplace.

Protocols for prescribed contagious conditions

Our departmental workplaces have a large number of females on site. Infectious diseases that could impact on pregnancy should be highlighted and precautions noted.

Those considering pregnancy or who are pregnant should tell their doctor about their work requirements, seek advise about any recommended vaccinations / precautions and know your immunisation status.

– Refer to the procedure Pregnancy in the Workplace

– Any issues with regard to work placement or leave should be discussed with your Officer-in-Charge.

Diseases related to pregnancy

Infectious Diseases that can impact on pregnancy.

•Measles

•Mumps

•Rubella

•Influenza

•Chickenpox (Varicella)

•Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

•Parvovirus

Know your immunisation status - Review your immunisation records. If you don’t have any, consider a a blood test to confirm your existing immunisation status. You may find you need a “booster”. Keep this information handy.

Stay home when unwell - staff are expected to model appropriate behaviour and stay home when they are unwell or infectious.

Promote and follow Standard Precautions for Infection Control – good hygiene practices, hand washing, cough and sneeze etiquette etc.

•What are your •key responsibilities?

25

What are your key responsibilities?

Prevent the spread of infectious diseases

Understand and adhere to procedures

Infection Control and the Infection Control Guideline Understand and adhere to procedure

Management of Prescribed Contagious ConditionsImplement and follow an Infection Control Program that has been developed for your workplace Seek advice if required.

Pandemic Planning

Interdepartmental protocols are in place for managing a pandemic or other health threat.

Queensland’s Chief Health Officer establishes a State Health Emergency Coordination Centre.

•All government departments then take direction from this team. •Health threat responses will be tailored to the disease type.

RememberWorkplaces may harbour infectious diseases.There is relevant legislation (WHS Act 2011 and Public Health Act 2005)

There are Departmental procedures and guidelines to follow:Infection ControlManagement of Prescribed Contagious Conditions

Prevent the spread of infectious disease following an Infection Control Program including Standard Precautions Be aware of your own immunity status to common infectious diseases.Some infectious diseases can be harmful during pregnancy. Seek advice if required.

Take Home Message

• Queensland Health – Phone: 13HEALTH (13432584)• Queensland Health Fact Sheets http://conditions.health.qld.gov.au/HealthConditions

• Departmental Policy: Infection Control http://ppr.det.qld.gov.au/corp/hr/workplace/Pages/Infection-Control.aspx

• Departmental Policy: Management of Prescribed Contagious Conditions http://education.qld.gov.au/strategic/eppr/health/index.html

• Infection Control Guidelinehttp://education.qld.gov.au/health/pdfs/healthsafety/infection_control_guideline.pdf

• Creating Healthier Workplaces – Infection Control http://education.qld.gov.au/health/safety/hazards/infection.html

• Regional Senior Health and Safety Consultant http://education.qld.gov.au/health/contacts/hscontacts.html

• Key Health and Safety Tips for Teachershttp://www.deir.qld.gov.au/workplace/documents/showDoc.html?WHS%20Fast%20Facts/healthcommunity%20-%20teacher

• Local Qld Health Public Health Unithttp://www.health.qld.gov.au/healthyschools/contactus.asp

Further Resources

Questions?

Click PLAY to run the department’s infection control animation.Web address: http://mediasite.eq.edu.au/mediasite/Play/5cfbdba5b124429a8166d4da9080a7211d

Infection Control Animation