INFECTION CONTROL

Christina Waters Student Number: 6100013711

Word Length: 592

Perform an infection control risk management inspection in a massage setting.

The following infection control inspection was conducted at shop 12/ 19 Taylor Street, Pialba on the 28th of April at 10:30 am. The premises are used as Naturopathy/ Homeopathy business which also incorporates Bowen therapy, the business is owned and operated by Gregory Turner. The single storey brick shop is air conditioned with four rooms inside. On the day of inspection the room designated for supplement and medication storage was unable to be inspected. The waiting room and consultation room were inspected on the day. The treatment room, which is located at the rear of the premises, is used for Bowen therapy treatment in one section and homeopathic preparation in another section. Due to the design of the treatment room only the section designated for Bowen therapy was able to be visually inspected on the day. The following is a list of findings: The waiting room -Lights were heavily coated in dust -Light film of dust on the counter behind cash register

Consultation room -Desk containing computer was cluttered with numerous items making effective cleaning difficult Treatment room -Numerous personal items located throughout the room -No designated area for cleaning equipment -Only one sink located on premises for cleaning, hand washing and cleaning of homeopathic preparation equipment -Hand washing signage was not displayed -No paper towel or hand drying facilities located at sink

-Linen on the treatment bed was not witnessed being changed -No obvious soiled linen storage -Numerous items stored upon the floor

Personal Hygiene -Watch was worn during Bowen therapy treatment -Hand washing was not complied with before, during or after treatment was preformed.

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC, 2010) legislation recommendations include: -Hand washing to be performed before and after touching a client or the surroundings (NHMRC, 2010, pp. 1,36,37). -Hands must be dried with single use towel after washing (NHMRC, 2010, p. 39). -All jewellery is encouraged to be removed (NHMRC, 2010, p. 39). -Environmental cleaning of fittings/lights should be carried out as needed (NHMRC, 2010, p. 164). -Desks and computers should be cleaned weekly (NHMRC, 2010, p. 161). -Counter in the waiting room is in contact with patients and should be cleaned daily (NHMRC, 2010, p. 163). -Bed linen should be changed between patients (NHMRC, 2010, p. 160). -Personal items are to be kept away from treatment and patient areas to reduce risk of infection to the patient and practitioner.

Possible Penalties for non compliance of Infection Control Policies: Individuals and corporations must comply with infection control policies under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, a list of possible fines and penalties under this legislation (Queensland Government, Department of Justice and Attorney-General, 2010) is attached in the appendices. Furthermore individuals and companies can also face possible fines and penalties through civil and criminal proceedings in the court of law from individuals.

The following are changes and recommendations would assist to bring the establishment up to suitable infection control standard: -Weekly cleaning of the environment -Daily cleaning of patient contact areas. -Display hand washing signage. -Comply with effective hand hygiene practices and installation of paper towel dispenser. -Installation of personal locker for storage of personal items. -Remove jewellery prior to treatment of patients. -Purchase a suitable storage for soiled linen. -Change treatment bed linen and clean bed after each patient. Bibliography
NHMRC. (2010). NHMRC Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Controlof Infetion in Health Care. Commonwealth of Aust. Retrieved May 01, 2011, from nhmrc.gov.au/_files_/file/publication/synopses/CD33_InfectionControlGuidelines2010.pdf