3.1.3 Use and management of sharps, safety engineered devices and medication vials
Recommendation 11 - Practical info tab
Disposal of single-use sharps
Second paragraph
Guideline text: ‘..scalpel blades and other sharp items..’
Suggest further clarification on ‘other sharp items’ as confusion persists in this in the health care setting as to what is appropriate for a sharps container
3.1.4 Routine management of the physical environment
Recommendation 13 – Practical info tab
Shared clinical equipment
Suggest ‘individual actions’ comment under practical info tab to ensure supply of a combined detergent/individual disinfectant wipes or solution on patient examination trolleys/community health equipment bags to facilitate cleaning of shared clinical equipment such as BP cuffs and digital thermometers between patients
Recommendation 16 - Practical info tab
Transmission pathways
Guideline text: ‘Transmission for norovirus infections in healthcare setting mainly occur..’
Suggest spelling/grammar edit: ‘..healthcare settings mainly occur..’
3.2.3 Droplet precautions
Surgical masks protect the wearer from droplet contamination of the nasal or oral mucosa
Suggest recommended length of time to wear surgical mask before it is rendered ineffective and reference to evidence if available, to prevent prolonged potentially ineffective wearing of masks in healthcare settings and in the community
3.2.4 Airborne precautions
Recommendation 30 - Practical info tab
Under wearing a P2 respirator
Suggest additional comment on observing colleagues and promptly noting ill-fitting masks to be immediately corrected in order to maximise health provider and patient safety
3.3.1 Multi-resistant organisms
Recommendation 32 - Practical info tab
Under Emerging evidence on contact precautions
Second paragraph
Guideline text: Increasingly, some healthcare facilities are focusing on the use of horizontal measures… These include hand hygiene, bathing patients with chlorhexidine and environmental cleaning and disinfection..’
Suggest mapping to recommendation 4.1.4 Risk Management – Recommendation 37 – Key Info and Practical Info tabs on the use of chlorhexidine with reference to literature review titled ‘Is the use of chlorhexidine contributing to increased resistance to chlorhexidine and/or antibiotics?’ page 28 where reference is made to the use of chlorhexidine washes and the consideration of biocidal stewardship.
3.3.2.1 Infection control strategies to control/contain an outbreak
Under Patient-care tip
Suggest adding to refer the nominated infection control staff member to patient/family for more in-depth discussions/information if required
Recommendation 34 – Practical Info tab
Transmission pathways
Guideline text: ‘Transmission for norovirus infections in healthcare setting mainly occur..’
Suggest spelling/grammar edit: ‘..healthcare settings mainly occur..
3.4.2.3 Intravascular access devicesMinimising the risk from intravascular access devices
Table 16
Skin preparation
Guideline text: ‘For patients with a history of chlorhexidine sensitivity, use 5% alcohol-based povidone-iodine solution or 10% aqueous povidone-iodine…’
Suggest mapping to recommendation 4.1.4 Risk Management – Recommendation 38 - Practical Info tab with reference to literature review on chlorhexidine sensitivity/reactions and prompting patients ‘for any chlorhexidine reactions/anaphylaxis during the 'allergy history' subjective assessment
Insertion
Guideline text: ‘All healthcare workers who insert IVDs should be appropriately trained or under the supervision of a trained clinician.’
Suggest addition of further comment on training and competence required for cannulation – i.e. accreditation according to facility policy
3.4.2.4. Ventilation
Table 17 - Summary of strategies for preventing VAP
Physical strategies
Guideline text: There is no difference in the incidence of VAP between patients who airways..’
Suggest spelling/grammar edit: ‘whose airways’
