A Risk Based Approach to Staff Health and Safety

Megan Reilly¹

¹Hands-On Infection Control

Infection control related employee health is a key element of both Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Work Health and Safety (WHS) programs.  Residential aged care providers have a duty of care under national and state/territory WHS legislation to protect employees which includes against occupational infectious disease hazards.  Risk-based management systems to protect the health, safety and well-being of aged care workers include pre-employment health status screening, immunisation program, identifying and supporting vulnerable staff, and management of potentially infectious exposures and illnesses, education and training, and the management of personnel records.  This presentation will provide a risk-based approach, in accordance with national, state/territory guidelines, to the prevention, mitigation and management of occupational infectious disease hazards.  The presentation will demonstrate the importance of clear, comprehensive, and accessible policies and procedures, supported by IPC and WHS education and training.  In addition, recommendations on reporting of infectious disease exposures, the management of personnel records, and the provision of adequate support systems for employees are presented.  Investment in infection prevention strategies such as vaccination and health screening reduce the overall cost of infection management by reducing and/or removing the risk of infection, while providing adequate resources and systems to support employees, can lead to higher staff satisfaction and retention.

Biography:

Megan has 33 years experience working in the area of infection prevention and management in the acute, day hospital, community, residential, office-based, early learning, justice and aviation settings. She completed her Masters in Health Science (Infection Control) in 2002 and is the Director of Hands-On Infection Control since 1998, providing an infection prevention advisory, education and immunisation service to health care and related industries throughout Australia. Megan has presented at state, national and international conferences, published in peer reviewed journals, and until recently co-coordinated a Graduate Certificate in Infection Prevention and Control Course. In addition to ACIPC, she is a member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), Australian College of Operating Room Nurses (ACORN), Sterilizing Research and Advisory Council of Australia (SRACA) WA, Gastroenterological Nurses College of Australia (GENCA) and Australian College of Nursing (ACN). She has held executive positions on both State and National professional colleges.