ACCUMED Infection Control Best Practice Tips for Aged Care

Hand Hygiene

• Use alcohol-based hand rub whenever possible and store it away from heat and direct sunlight.

Personal Protective Equipment

• Ensure access to disposable gloves, plastic aprons, and eye goggles.

Cleaning

• Use detergent and water for general cleaning. Disinfectant is also needed when infection is known or suspected.
• Encourage a tidy environment in the client’s home.

Managing Spills

• Clean spills promptly, dispose of contaminated materials properly, and perform hand hygiene.

Clothing and Personal Hygiene

• Change clothing daily or when soiled. Wear short sleeves or roll up sleeves above the elbows.
• Remove clothing that is not washed daily (such as cardigans and jackets) during personal care activities, food preparation, and cleaning activities. Ensure lanyards and mobile phones are secured.
• Wear non-slip, closed-in shoes to protect your feet against accidental injury or spillage during home visits.
• Keep jewelry to a minimum and avoid wearing gel, acrylic, or false fingernails.
• Keep fingernails clean and trimmed.

Food Handling

• Perform hand hygiene before and after handling food.
• Clean work areas with detergent and water, and allow them to dry before preparing food.
• Ensure food is consumed by the client shortly after preparation or covered and placed in the fridge.

Multi-Resistant Organisms

• Use standard precautions such as hand hygiene, gloves, and gowns if there is a risk of blood or body fluid splash. Use goggles if there is a high risk of splash to the eyes.
• Place all disposable items in the home’s general waste bin (except sharps, which require a specialized sharps container).

Presence of Pets

• Keep pets away from the area where the care worker is caring for the client.

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