Staff protection from infections: infection prevention and control principles

Infection prevention and control standards and guidelines include infection protection guidance for the healthcare workforce and others involved directly or indirectly in the provision of care. There are also specific work health and safety legislation and guidelines that should be referred to for specific requirements and recommendations. Also refer to local policies and procedures.

Healthcare associated infection (HAI) can occur in any setting and infection prevention measures are recommended to protect both patients and staff. Examples of basic measures to minimise the risk of transmission of infection includes:

Workforce health and safety legislation – Work Health and Safety Regulations, 2012 (SA), provides information regarding responsibilities for healthcare workers and management. 

Information regarding work related exposures should be managed according to the principles of IPC and Worker Health and Safety (WHS) requirements. SA Health specific information is available via the SA Health intranet — see Health Prevention and Responding to Work Related Exposure to Infectious Diseases Policy Guideline. Also refer to local policies and procedures.

Those involved in the delivery of care should be educated and trained as appropriate in measures to limit the risk of transmission of infection, e.g. hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE) and risk assessment. Healthcare facilities may also display posters and signage to assist staff.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

PPE consists of several items of equipment including:

  • gloves
  • gowns
  • aprons
  • eye protection (including goggles, safety glasses and face shields)
  • surgical masks
  • particulate filter respirators (PFR), i.e. P2/N95 respirators (or equivalent).

To reduce the risk of transmission of infectious agents, PPE should be used correctly. Educating and training staff in the correct use of PPE helps to reduce the risk of transmission of infectious agents. Information should be available to staff regarding the selection and use of PPE.

Guidance can be found in the SA Health Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guide available to SA Health employees on the SA Health Intranet page. Also refer to local policies and procedures.

The following resources have been developed by SA Health and adapted from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Australian Guidelines for Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) infection prevention and control information and resources:

A suite of educational videos created by Adelaide Health Simulation at the University of Adelaide provide guidance for:

  • airborne, contact and droplet precautions
  • hand sanitising
  • hand washing.

The Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing with Professor Alison McMillan Australia’s Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer have a suite of educational video resources demonstrating how to wear PPE in the following settings:

Particulate filter respirators (PFR) (P2/N95 or equivalent)

PFRs (where required) should be fitted to each staff member individually using an approved fit testing method (refer to Australian standards AS/NZ 1715:2009). Staff required to wear a PFR should be fitted and trained in its safe use.

A PFR should be used when:

  • attending to patients with suspected or confirmed infectious diseases of which airborne spread has been risk assessed as possible
  • performing aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) on patients with suspected or confirmed respiratory infection.

Refer to the SA Health Respiratory Protection Against Airborne Infectious Diseases Clinical Guideline (PDF 836KB) and local policies and procedures for more information.

Further information

For further information contact the SA Health Infection Control Service on (08) 7425 7161