Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) for Infectious Respiratory Diseases Clinical Guideline
Version 1.5 approved 12 July 2023
The mandatory National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards provide a nationally consistent statement of the level of care consumers can expect from health service organisations. As per the Preventing and Controlling Infection Standard, there must be systems in place to support and promote the prevention and control of infections, such as the use of evidence-based systems to mitigate the risk of infection.
The Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) for Infectious Respiratory Diseases Clinical Guideline (PDF 505KB) provides exemplar information and guidance to workers and employers regarding risk mitigation and recommended IPC measures, which aims to minimise the risk of the spread of respiratory illnesses spread via droplets and aerosols. Refer also to relevant worker health and safety standards - See section 8. Workforce implications.
IPC recommendations promote the adoption of a risk management approach to a respiratory protection program as per AS/NZS 1715:2009 – Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protection equipment, including use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) based on the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) hierarchy of controls in infection prevention and control.
A risk management approach should include consideration of clinical and epidemiological risk factors as well as of the impact and vulnerability of those exposed to infectious droplet and/or airborne spread pathogens, especially those at risk from high morbidity/mortality.
The scope of this guideline is limited to IPC exemplars and recommendations regarding infectious respiratory pathogens and does not provide guidance for chemical or cytotoxic exposures, laser plumes, dental settings, use of beard wrapping techniques or the use of powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR).
For information regarding items out of scope, refer to relevant policy and guidelines, including those relating to PAPR use as per the SA Health Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Selection Policy Guideline available on the SA Health Staff protection from infections webpage.