KNOWLEDGE BASE

Purpose

Bodyfocus Wellness Centre is committed to maintaining a safe environment for patients, employees, contractors, students, and visitors by minimising the risk of infection transmission.

This policy outlines the organisation's approach to infection prevention and control and supports the delivery of safe services.

Scope

This policy applies to all employees, contractors, students, volunteers, and other personnel engaged by Bodyfocus Wellness Centre.

Policy Statement

Bodyfocus Wellness Centre is committed to:

• Minimising the risk of infection transmission.

• Maintaining a clean and safe environment.

• Applying evidence-based infection prevention and control practices.

• Supporting the health and safety of patients and personnel.

• Providing appropriate training and education.

• Responding appropriately to infectious disease risks and outbreaks.

Standard Precautions

Standard precautions must be applied where appropriate to all patient interactions regardless of known infection status.

Standard precautions may include:

• Hand hygiene

• Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette

• Appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Environmental cleaning

• Safe handling of contaminated materials

• Appropriate waste disposal

• Management of blood and body fluid exposure

Hand Hygiene

Hand hygiene is one of the most effective measures for preventing the spread of infection.

Personnel are expected to perform hand hygiene:

• Before and after patient contact

• After contact with potentially contaminated surfaces

• After removing gloves

• Following use of bathroom facilities

• Before handling food

• Whenever hands are visibly soiled

Personal Protective Equipment

Where appropriate, personnel must use suitable personal protective equipment to reduce infection risks.

Examples may include:

• Gloves

• Face masks

• Protective eyewear

• Protective clothing

PPE requirements will be determined by the nature of the activity and identified risks.

Environmental Cleaning

Clinical and workplace environments must be maintained in a clean and hygienic condition.

Cleaning schedules, procedures, and responsibilities will be implemented as appropriate to the services provided.

Equipment, treatment areas, and frequently touched surfaces should be cleaned and maintained in accordance with organisational requirements.

Personal Hygiene

Personnel are expected to maintain appropriate personal hygiene standards while performing work duties.

This includes:

• Maintaining personal cleanliness

• Practising appropriate hand hygiene

• Wearing clean uniforms or work attire

• Managing illness appropriately

• Following infection control requirements

Food Safety

Where food is handled within the workplace, personnel must follow safe food handling practices to minimise contamination risks.

Food handling activities must be undertaken in a manner that protects the health and safety of patients and personnel.

Infectious Illness

Personnel experiencing symptoms of an infectious illness should take reasonable steps to minimise the risk of transmission within the workplace.

Management may provide guidance regarding workplace attendance, return to work, and infection control measures where appropriate.

Exposure Incidents

Any exposure to blood, bodily fluids, contaminated materials, or other potential infection risks must be reported to management as soon as practicable.

Exposure incidents may be managed in accordance with the Incident Management Policy and other relevant organisational procedures.

Outbreaks and Public Health Events

Bodyfocus Wellness Centre will monitor and respond appropriately to significant infectious disease risks, outbreaks, pandemics, or public health emergencies.

Additional infection control measures may be implemented where required to protect patients, personnel, and business operations.

Training and Awareness

Personnel will receive infection prevention and control training appropriate to their role.

Training may include:

• Hand hygiene

• Standard precautions

• PPE use

• Cleaning and disinfection

• Exposure incident management

• Infectious disease response

Additional training may be provided where risks, services, or regulatory requirements change.

Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

Infection prevention and control practices may be reviewed through:

• Incident review

• Staff feedback

• Workplace inspections

• Training activities

• Changes in public health guidance

Opportunities for improvement will be implemented where appropriate.

Responsibilities

Management

Management is responsible for:

• Providing appropriate infection control resources;

• Supporting staff training;

• Maintaining infection control systems;

• Monitoring infection-related risks;

• Responding to outbreaks and exposure incidents.

Employees and Other Personnel

Personnel are responsible for:

• Following infection prevention and control requirements;

• Participating in required training;

• Maintaining appropriate hygiene practices;

• Reporting infection risks and exposure incidents;

• Supporting a safe environment for patients and colleagues.

Related Documents

• POL-007 Workplace Health and Safety Policy

• POL-004 Incident Management Policy

• POL-009 Emergency and Disaster Management Plan

• POL-012 Waste Management Policy

• HB-001 Employee Handbook

• CHK-001 Monthly WHS, Infection Control and Waste Management Inspection