Sturt St ELC Hygiene and infection control policy
Link to CCQA Principles
Quality Practices Guide (2004) – Principle 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 /
Quality Practices Guide (2003) – Principle 6.2, 6.3 /
Legislation :
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE ACT 1986 http://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/LZ/C/A/OCCUPATIONAL%20HEALTH%20SAFETY%20AND%20WELFARE%20ACT%201986.aspx
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE regulations 1996
http://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/LZ/C/R/Occupational%20Health%20Safety%20and%20Welfare%20Regulations%201995.aspx
PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ACT 1987
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/sa/consol_act/paeha1987291/
SA Children’s Protection Act 1993
http://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/LZ/C/A/CHILDRENS%20PROTECTION%20ACT%201993/CURRENT/1993.93.UN.PDF
SA Children’s Services (Child Care Centre)Regulations 1998 under the Children’s Services Act 1985
http://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/LZ/C/R/CHILDRENS%20SERVICES%20(CHILD%20CARE%20CENTRE)%20REGULATIONS%201998/CURRENT/1998.207.UN.PDF
National Health and Medical Research Council. (2005). Staying healthy in child care: Preventing infectious disease in child care (4th ed.). Canberra: Author. http://www.childcare.sa.gov.au/ybsproviders/pages/childcare/childcarecentrelicenceguide/
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The above text is the core reference used in relation to health care needs. It details how infections spread, and how infections survive if hygiene procedures are not carried out appropriately. This information provides the foundation to why hygiene and infection control practices are crucial in children’s services
Policy statement
• The service promotes hygienic practices and prevents the spread of infections by implementing the following strategies:
o effective handwashing;
o hygienic cleaning techniques;
o safe handling, storage and disposal of body fluids;
o maintenance of a hygienic environment;
o updating knowledge of infectious diseases and exclusion guidelines;
o identifying and excluding sick children and staff/carers; and
o promoting and maintaining records of children’s and staff/carer’s immunisation.
• Sturt St Early Learning Centre has a duty of care to ensure that all persons are provided with a high level of protection during the hours of the service’s operation.
Protection can include:
o notifying children, families, staff/carers, local community or the relevant health authorities of a diagnosed infectious illness or disease;
o ensuring staff/carers have adequate equipment or products, such as disposable gloves, detergents and soaps;
o maintaining procedures, such as correct handling of body fluids;
o maintaining staff/carers awareness of hygienic human contact and physical interaction with others;
o increasing staff/carers awareness and knowledge of cross infection; and
o maintaining a hygienic and healthy environment, including cleaning the service daily and ensuring that the service is well ventilated
• In meeting the service’s duty of care, it is a requirement under the Occupational Health & Safety Act to ensure that the service’s stakeholders are protected from harm.
• It is understood by staff/carers, children and families that there is a shared responsibility between the service and other stakeholders to accept and implement the Hygiene and Infection Control Policy as a high priority.
Rationale
The Sturt Street Early Learning Centre aims to provide a healthy environment in which children can grow and learn. The application of documented hygiene and infection control processes aims to prevent the spread of infections and will be followed by all people in the Service at all times.
Children need
• effective measures for infection control
• clean hygienic learning environments,
• instruction about hygiene and self care,
Parents need
• to feel confident that each child’s heath and well being is the prime consideration of the service
Staff need
• minimised risk of infection from other staff and children utilising the service
• a clean hygienic work environment,
• equipment and resources to ensure a high level of hygiene,
• clear policies and procedures in relation to their duty of care.
Management needs
• staff to maintain levels of hygiene and cleanliness which meet required standards according to the above legislation
• to minimise the risk of illness and cross infection between children and staff
• systems to manage hygiene and infection control at the service
• parents and caregivers to support the service’s objectives regarding health promotion and infection minimisation by informing staff of health issues and not sending children to the service when they are unwell.
Strategies and practices
Universal Precautions
Universal Precautions will be used to assist child care professionals to minimise the risk of cross infection and provide a basic level of infection minimisation.
The precautions support the assumption that all body fluids are potentially infectious, therefore all persons are treated equitably when implementing hygiene practices to minimise cross infection
The Practices in place at our centre are
• handwashing;
• hygienic cleaning techniques;
• using protective products and equipment, such as gloves;
• safe handling and disposal of body fluids;
• safe storage of materials that have come into contact with body fluids; and
• maintaining a clean environment
Handwashing
o Staff / carers will wash their hands
before starting and at the end of their working day in the service
before handling food
after changing nappies and /or assisting children with toileting
after going to the toilet
before and after providing first aid
after cleaning or messy activities eg art, gardening, handling animals
after assisting children with self care such as nose blowing
o Children will wash hands
Before meal and snack times
After messy activities eg art, gardening, handling animals
After toilet or nappy changes
After blowing their nose and/or coming in to contact with mucous
o All children will be supervised when washing their hands and assistance provided to ensure thorough hand washing practices are developed.
o Children will be supported to rub soap into their hands before washing them thoroughly with running water. They will dry their hands with the air dryer or disposable paper towels.
o In the event of running water not being available – air drying antiseptic gels will be used instead of soap and water.
o Handwashing procedures are supported by the use of posters in the bathroom areas, explicitly instruction and modelling of correct hand washing procedure and the educational programme, for example by learning songs such as “this is the way we wash our hands”
o In planning for excursions, consideration will be given to the availability of toilet and handwashing facilities. Soap and antiseptic gels will be carried on excursions, in case there is not access to running water.
Safe handling of body fluids or materials in contact with body fluids
• Body fluids are defined as blood, urine, faeces, saliva, mucous and vomit
• Nappies:
o Disposable nappies are used at the centre
o Nappies and nappy wipes are disposed of in a nappy disposal unit. The unit double bags each nappy. It is emptied in the waste disposal unit which is maintained and emptied by a contracted waste disposal company
• Spilled bodily fluids
o When a child has vomited or had a toileting accident where necessary two staff will attend the child
The first staff member will comforts the child and prevents other people from coming into contact with the spill
The second staff member will use gloves, paper towel and plastic bags to wipe the spill and will double bag the waste. They will clean the area using hot water and disposable cloths or red disinfectant mop
Where it is not possible for 2 staff to physically attend an incident due to other priorities of children’s care – the carer at the incident will support the child and contain the incident by keeping other children away until support is available.
If the spill is on earth or grassed areas, the area is cordoned off and hosed clean
Soiled children’s clothing is double bagged and sent home for laundering
Children can be bathed in the nappy change area.
• The service has contracted a sanitary disposal service for the safe disposal of sanitary products. There is a unit in each staff toilet.
• A sharps container is available in each staff toilet area
Safe storage of materials in contact with body fluids
• All materials used to clean bodily fluids, eg in the case of toileting, nappy change, and first aid are disposable. Children’s toys and materials are washed according to cleaning schedule
• Bibs and flannels are soaked in a bucket with Napisan and then laundered
• All non disposable materials which come into contact with body fluids, such as toys, flannels, bedding are washed according to the cleaning schedule
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Use of gloves
o Only Non latex gloves are used at the service
• Gloves are available for staff at all times, and are located in bathroom areas, kitchen areas, in the outdoor play area basket and in first aid kits.
Staff are required to use gloves when:
o handling food,
o providing first aid,
o changing soiled nappies, assisting with toileting
and
o if they have any cuts or abrasions
Staff may choose to wear gloves for personal protection at other times.
Wearing gloves does not preclude handwashing. Staff will wash their hands before putting on gloves and after removing them
Concepts of cleanliness
• Every effort will be made to provide a clean and hygienic environment for children’s activities, while also providing an environment that is interesting and stimulating. The service has the following routines and procedures to support the maintenance of a clean environment
o Cleaning materials:
cleaning products such as mops and cloths are colour coded for use in kitchen, bathroom, out door and indoor and play areas. This avoids cross contamination of food preparation surfaces and minimises the risk of infection from toilet areas.
o Bathroom cleanliness
Nappy change mats will be wiped down with a soap and water / or disinfectant spray and paper towel from top – bottom after each nappy change. Nappy change mats will be wiped down, top to bottom, with a disinfectant spray or soap and water and dried with a disposable paper towel after each nappy change.
Toilets and sinks will be monitored throughout the day, to ensure that urine or faeces spills or smears are cleaned immediately.
Toilets and bathroom areas will be cleaned in the middle of the day, during rest time. This task will be recorded on the cleaning schedule.
The red mop is designated for bathroom use only
o Kitchen and Dining cleanliness
The service uses Different coloured disposable cloths for separate areas of the kitchen and dining room. – dish washing – red; bench wiping – blue; table wiping – green
The service uses different coloured cutting boards for separate foods groups consistent with Food Safety processes
Dining tables are washed before and after meal times
Children are provided with individual drinking and eating utensils at each mealtime. Crockery and cutlery is washed using a dishwasher – or washed using hot water and left to air dry
Staff supervise children at eating times and ensure children do not eat food or use drinking or eating utensils that have been handled or used by another child or dropped on the floor.
The vinyl floor areas in the kitchen and dining areas of the Toddler and Babies room will be mopped after lunch time each day. The blue mop is used for kitchen and dining areas.
Spilled food is swept from the carpeted floor area of the 3 ½ – 5 year old room
The cook is responsible for cleaning and disinfecting kitchen benches, monitoring the fridge temperature, ensures that kitchen benches are cleaned and disinfected each day; that fridge temperatures are monitored according to food safety guidelines and that cleanliness of oven, stove, microwaves, fridges and dishwashers are maintained
Daily cleaning tasks are recorded on the cleaning schedule
o Sleep area cleanliness
Children’s bedding is washed according to the cleaning schedule. Soiled or wet bedding is changed immediately and the linen and sleep mat / mattress is washed according to the cleaning schedule.
o Cleanliness of indoor facilities
Cleaners are contracted to clean the service each weekday night.
All staff are rostered to participate in the daily cleaning schedule. There is a checklist of daily cleaning tasks.
o Cleanliness of outdoor facilities
Staff on duty outside complete a daily cleaning checklist and also assess the facilities for hazards and maintenance requirements.
The Grounds person maintains the general cleanliness of outdoor area or the Grounds person is responsible for cleaning outdoor areas.
The sandpits are bleached, raked and covered by staff according to the cleaning schedule. Bleaching of sandpits occurs on Fridays. Sand pits are raked on Monday mornings. Sandpits are covered with a mesh cover. Sand is replenished as needed.
Use of Hazardous substances
• A register of hazardous substances, including cleaning agents is kept in the child care admin office . The register also includes safety data sheets for each chemical.
• All cleaning agents, including washing powder, bleach, disinfectant, and detergent are stored in locked cupboards or areas.
Please refer to the service’s Hazardous substances Policy for additional detail.
Safe washing of all materials
Please refer to the cleaning schedule for detail regarding the laundering of items in use at the service.
Immunisation
Parents / Guardians will be encouraged to immunise their child against all diseases appropriate to the child’s age according to the Medicare schedule. Parents are required to provide a current copy of their child’s immunisation record to the Service.
Parents who have chosen not to immunise their child need to inform the service of this decision in writing. Children who are not immunised will be excluded from care during outbreaks of some infectious diseases in accordance with the National Health & Medical Research Council exclusion guidelines, even if the child is well.
Staff will be encouraged to have all childhood and tetanus immunisations up to date. Staff should also consider being immunised against hepatitis A and B.
Administration staff provide monthly reports to the child care rooms about the status of immunisation of children attending care
Exclusion guidelines for an infectious disease
Our centre follows the exclusion guidelines as per National Health and Medical Research Council. (2005). Staying healthy in child care: Preventing infectious disease in child care (4th ed.). Canberra: Author.
Protective behaviours and practices
Staff, carers, students and volunteers as role models
• Children learn through example and modelling is an important way to teach children about behaviours and practices.
• Staff/carers, students and volunteers in this service are expected to be good role models for children and must comply with the Hygiene and Infection Control Policy .
Communication with different stakeholders
Children
• Hygiene practices are part of each routine and communicated as an integral part of the educational program
• Children are explicitly guided and taught about practices and also reminded via curriculum activities such as songs rhymes, texts
Families
• Families are informed about the hygiene policies and procedures of the service on enrolment. The policy and procedure manual is available to parents. Parents are encouraged to read posters and displays in the service. Additional information is communicated through the newsletter and program.
Staff/Carers
• Staff carers are informed about the hygiene policies and procedures as part of the staff induction process
• Awareness is maintained via posters, staff meetings and general team communication
Policy review
• The service will review the Hygiene and Infection Control Policy and procedures, and related documents, every 3 years
• Families are encouraged to collaborate with the service to review the policy and procedures.
• Staff/carers are essential stakeholders in the policy review process and are encouraged to be actively involved.
Sources and further reading
• Childcare and Children’s Health. (2005). Infection control and some common infections in young children. Childcare and Children’s Health, 8 (3), 1-4.
• Frith, J., Kambouris, N., & O’Grady, O. (2003). Health & safety in children’s centres: Model policies and practices (2nd ed.). NSW: School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales.
• Matthews, C. (2004). Healthy children: A guide for child care (2nd ed.). NSW: Elsevier.
• National Health and Medical Research Council. (2005). Staying healthy in child care: Preventing infectious disease in child care (4th ed.). Canberra: Author.
• Oberklaid, F. (2004). Health in early childhood settings. NSW: Pademelon Press.
• Owens, A. (2003). Handwashing and nose wiping. Childcare and Children’s Health, 6 (2), 1-2.
• Flinders University School of Health. (2002). Health advisory information: Standard and additional precautions. Retrieved May 21, 2007, from http://som.flinders.edu.au/students/HAI_Stand_Add.htm
• Medicare Immunisation Schedule http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/patients/acir/schedule.jsp
• Australian Childhood Immunisation Register : National Due and overdue rules for childhood immunisation. http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/patients/acir/files/national-due-and-overdue-rules-for-childhood-immunisation.pdf
Policy created date Ratified on September 18th 2008
Policy review date Sept 2010
