Tami Photinos, Executive Director
In the lead up to the start of short notice accreditation, we are focussing each week on some of the standards. This week we’re looking at Standard 3 (preventing and controlling infections) and Standard 4 (medication safety).
Standard 3: Preventing and controlling infections
Intention of the standard
- To reduce the risk to patients, consumers and members of the workforce of acquiring preventable infections
- To effectively manage infections, if they occur
- To prevent and contain antimicrobial resistance
- To promote appropriate prescribing and use of antimicrobials as part of antimicrobial stewardship
- To promote appropriate and sustainable use of infection prevention and control resources.
TPCH Priorities
- Ensuring our patients are supported to understand why precautions/isolation may be needed for their care
- Consistent communication of infection risks including MRO status and precautions required
- Improving environmental cleaning in line with TPCH procedures
- Undertaking maintenance on any furnishing or fittings not meeting the standard
What can you do?
- Be bare below the elbows
- Adhere to the 5 moments of hand hygiene
- Always store linen covered
- Complete your mandatory Infection Control Awareness training if it is due
- Put in a work order for any surfaces or equipment in a state of disrepair
- Watch this video Preparing for SNAAP: Standard 3
Standard 4: Medication safety
Intention of the standard
- To ensure clinicians safely prescribe, dispense and administer appropriate medicines, and monitor medicine use.
- To ensure that consumers are informed about medicines, and understand their own medicine needs and risks.
TPCH Priorities
- Improving documentation of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) risk assessment
- Ensuring safe and secure storage of medicines at all times
What can you do?
- Check the decision support tools in the end-of-bed charts and replace if out of date or damaged
- Ensure medication storage areas are always kept locked – in particular medication trolleys and beside lockers
- Never clip medication strips or packs to the end-of-bed chart
- Ensure weekly S8/DS4 medication balance checks are recorded on each page of the register as per the Metro North Procedure
- Always ensure patient identification is complete on all pages of the medication chart – including the hand written name under the label
- Watch this video Preparing for SNAAP: Standard 4
For more information
Please contact Zachary Sheldrick, Manager Safety and Quality, via phone 3139 4191 or email: Zachary.Sheldrick@health.qld.gov.au
Tami.