HLTINF006 – Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control

#This unit supersedes HLTINF001 – Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures.

Application

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply basic infection prevention and control principles in work settings including implementing standard and transmission-based precautions and responding to risks.

This unit applies to individuals working in a range of industry and work setting contexts.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.

No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENTS	PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
Elements describe the essential outcomes	Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.
1. Identify the role of infection prevention and control in the work setting.	1.1. Identify standards and guidelines relevant to own role and work setting. 1.2. Identify infection risks and hazards associated with own role and work setting. 1.3. Identify roles and responsibilities of self and others in relation to infection prevention and control. 1.4. Identify control measures to minimise risk in accordance with relevant national standards and guidelines. 1.5. Communicate effectively with others in relation to risk management. 1.6. Record identified risks and risk management strategies within scope of own role.
2. Follow standard and transmission-based precautions for infection prevention and control in the work setting.	2.1. Implement personal hygiene practices in the work setting. 2.2. Practice hand hygiene in accordance with national standards and guidelines. 2.3. Follow current national standards and guidelines for selection and correct use of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) as required. 2.4. Follow procedures for environmental cleaning and management of waste. 2.5. Identify and respond to situations where transmission-based precautions or enhanced cleaning is required.
3. Respond to potential and actual exposure to infection risks within scope of own role.	3.1. Identify, respond to and communicate potential or actual risk of, or breach in, infection control. 3.2. Assess the risk and take appropriate immediate action in accordance with industry and organisational guidelines. 3.3. Communicate any breach in infection control and risk management strategies in place to the supervisor, manager or responsible authority and seek advice on actions required following a breach in infection control. 3.4. Implement control measures to minimise contamination of people, materials and equipment. 3.5. Follow processes for management of spills and exposure to blood or body fluids. 3.6 Document incidents and responses and report according to organisational policies and procedures. 3.7. Ensure all records, materials and equipment are stored in a designated clean area.

Foundation Skills

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Unit Mapping Information

Supersedes and is not equivalent to HLTINF001 Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures.

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Not applicable.

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:

implement precautions for infection prevention and control according to national standards and guidelines on three different occasions, each responding to a different identified infection risk, including:

carrying out hand hygiene procedures as relevant to the infection risk
selecting and using correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
using correct cleaning and waste management procedures

respond to three instances of exposure to infection risk, including:

at least one instance that involves management of exposure to blood or body fluids
documenting and reporting the incident and response
identifying and managing clean and contaminated zones.

Knowledge Evidence

Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:

established national standards and guidelines for the prevention and control of infection
types of infectious risks in the work environment and associated management to prevent and reduce harm
causes of infection, including:

classifications of microorganisms – bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites
process of colonisation, infection and disease

transmission of infectious agents as per the chain of infection including:

infectious agent:

degree of pathogen exposure

reservoir:

people, animals and birds
other vectors
blood and body fluids
food, water and soil
waste

portal of exit
transmission:

direct contact including contact, droplet and airborne
indirect contact including surface or object contamination, penetrating injuries and vectors (animal, insect or parasite)

portal of entry
susceptible hosts:

factors that increase susceptibility to infection

personal hygiene practices:

personal care and cleanliness
use of clean clothing or uniform
management and laundering of work clothing
not attending work when ill
safe respiratory and cough etiquette

principles of hand hygiene:

hand care, including guidelines on maintaining intact skin, fingernails and jewellery or watches
hand hygiene procedures:

identifying when hand hygiene is required
identifying correct hand hygiene product
hand hygiene technique
procedure for applying alcohol-based hand rub
when to perform hand hygiene with soap and water rather than alcohol-based hand rub
precautions where there are breaks in the skin or skin conditions

5 moments of hand hygiene

safe and effective use of different types and grades of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including:

masks
gloves
protective eyewear and face shields
gowns and aprons

techniques and sequence for applying, fitting and removing PPE
preventing contamination while applying, wearing and removing PPE
safe disposal of PPE after use

cleaning procedures:

routine environment and equipment cleaning
enhanced cleaning
reprocessing of reusable equipment or instruments
managing a blood or body fluid spill
management of linen and clothing

principles of asepsis relevant to the job role
waste management procedures:

disposal of general waste
safe handling and disposal of contaminated waste
safe handling and disposal of sharps

organisational policies and procedures for:

managing exposure incidents
recording and documenting risks and incidents
reporting risks and incidents
parties to whom reports may be made:

supervisor
general practitioner
health care professional
carer
responsible person
responsible authority.

Assessment Conditions

Skills must be demonstrated in the work setting with the addition of simulations and scenarios where the full range of contexts and situations cannot be provided in the work setting or may occur only rarely.

Assessment must ensure use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:

national standards and guidelines for infection prevention and control and hand hygiene
relevant Commonwealth state or territory legislation and industry frameworks
hand hygiene facilities and equipment
personal protective equipment
waste and waste disposal equipment
areas, equipment and supplies for cleaning
organisational policies and procedures.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations’ requirements for assessors.

To see more details on the study unit (HLTINF006 – Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control), click here to view the full details here on training.gov

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