Cystic Fibrosis: Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Clinical Guideline
Version 1.1 approved 28 December 2023
The Cystic Fibrosis: Infection Prevention and Control Clinical Guideline
(PDF 312KB) is provided as an exemplar of best evidence-based practice IPC principles for the management of patients (adult and paediatric) with cystic fibrosis (CF) in both inpatient and non-inpatient health care settings. Inpatient health care settings include any hospital settings where a patient is admitted for a least an overnight stay. Non-inpatient health care settings include outpatient clinics (including lung function and CF clinics), emergency departments, radiology, dental, perioperative settings, dialysis centres, ambulance and aeromedical transport services, community health care and residential care facilities (e.g. rehabilitation facilities, residential aged / disability care facilities, mental health facilities) and other settings in which people with CF may receive medical care.
The guideline presents a risk-based approach to the management of patients with CF to minimise the acquisition and transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms (MRO) and/or other microorganisms of clinical significance.
Individual facilities may require specific procedures and protocols relevant to their patient population and clinical setting, and these should be governed and operationalised at the local level.
This guideline applies to all staff involved in the direct care of patients with CF.
Staff caring for patients with CF are responsible for ensuring that the patient, their relatives/visitors and all persons involved in their care are informed of, and understand, the purpose of the IPC precautions implemented.
Partnering with consumers is a requirement of the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. IPC measures including the wearing of face masks by patients should be risk based and clinically appropriate. Refer to the SA Health Face masks webpage.