INFECTION CONTROL POLICY AND PROCEDURES – Back To Life Pain Clinic
Objectives and Background
The purpose of this document is to outline and clarify the ideals and methods undertaken within Back To Life Pain Clinic in regards to infection control.
This policy and its contents apply to all who attend Back To Life Pain Clinic, including staff, clients, and other visitors.
This policy contains hazard identification and risk control, personal hygiene policy, PPE policy, infectious material handling procedures, contamination risks and handling procedures, cleaning and maintenance schedule, compliance and credibility policies, record keeping and confidentiality, implementation policies and privacy requirements.
1. Hazard Identification and Risk Control
1.1. Hazard Identification
Hazard identification will be dealt with on a case by case basis, depending on spread, severity of risk, and type of hazard. This includes consideration of staff or client illness as well as bodily fluids or spills on linens or other surfaces.
Hazard identification for issues other than infection control will be dealt with according to the Workplace Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.
1.2. Risk Assessment
Infection control will begin with elimination of the hazard, such as rescheduling a client that is ill. For spills and bodily fluids, PPE, such as gloves and face masks, would be best used to process these incidents.
1.3. Timeframes and Incidences for Hazard Assessment
A client who enters the clinic and is unwell will immediately be assessed for infection, using effective questioning to deduce the type of illness and contagion levels. If infection is present, a rebooking will be made for a time when the client has recovered. If there is a spill or leakage of bodily fluids, that incident will need to be taken care of immediately, and an incident report form filled in.
1.4. Guidelines for Reporting of Risk Management
Incidents will be reported and tracked through incident report forms. If there are any incidents that have not been reported through this system, they will be noted down and addressed accordingly.
2. Personal Hygiene
2.1. Personal Hygiene Policy
Handwashing
Therapists are required to maintain good hand washing habits, washing before and after every client, to ensure that no spread of possibly infectious matter will be transferred from one client to the next. There are WHO infographics at all sinks within the clinic as to how to wash hands thoroughly. There are also hand sanitiser stations in the reception area and treatment room, with WHO infographics on how to effectively use hand sanitiser.
Personal Hygiene Maintenance
It is expected that therapists will maintain good personal hygiene before attending the clinic. This includes daily showers, hair washing regularly, cleaning teeth and washing clothes. If a therapist is noted to not be adhering to these standards, then a verbal warning will be given.
Presentation
Therapists will be expected to remove jewellery whilst at work so as not to inhibit their ability to treat. Long hair will be tied back into a bun to reduce chances of touching clients inappropriately. Therapists’ fingernails will need to be trimmed short so as not to injure the client or therapist during treatments. If the therapist has any open wounds, they are required to be covered and if these wounds are on their hands, gloves are required to be worn whilst treating to reduce chances of transfer of bodily fluids.
3. Personal Protective Equipment
3.1. PPE Available
Gloves – used for handling potentially infectious materials.
Gloves must be used when handling potentially infectious materials, covering of open wounds, and cleaning if handling soiled linens.
Gloves must be donned without touching the outside, to prevent any bacteria from the therapist’s skin coming onto them. Gloves must be doffed by placing one thumb inside the wrist of the other glove and turning it inside out, then repeat, proceeding to turn the gloves in on themselves, as they are now soiled materials and must be disposed of as such.
4. Infectious Material
4.1. List of Potentially Infectious Materials
Bodily fluids including: phlegm, saliva, blood, body oils, vomit, pus, mucus, faeces, and airborne droplets from sneezes or coughs.
4.2. Handling Infectious Material
Therapists must use PPE at all times when handling infectious material. If linens are severely soiled, they must be disposed of. Handle the soiled linens with gloves. Severely soiled linens will be disposed of by being removed from the premises using gloves to handle them, putting them into a waste disposal bag, not allowing them to touch the body, and placing them in the bins outside the premises.
Soiled materials, such as tissues, used gloves, and used paper towels will be put into bins available in the treatment room and reception area, and bins will be emptied into the outside bin at the end of the day.
5. Contamination
5.1. Contamination Risks
If a client is in the incubation period for an infectious illness, they may not present as being unwell, however, they could transfer the illness through airborne or droplet particles.
If a therapist accidentally comes into contact with the bodily fluids of an individual who could potentially be infected, they must handle the contamination according to the procedures listed.
5.2. Procedures to Minimise Contamination Risk
Handwashing procedures and effective use of PPE, such as gloves and masks, will reduce the risk of contamination.
6. Cleaning and Maintenance
6.1. Cleaning Schedule
Treatment table: Use spray bottle with soap and water, spray table, wipe off with paper towel and place in bin. Spray table with hospital grade disinfectant and leave to air dry for a minimum of 10 minutes. The treatment table and frame is required to be cleaned between every client.
Vacuum/sweep clinic and surrounds (bathroom) every night, and if visibly dirty between clients. Ensure all paperwork is out of the treatment room and stored appropriately in the reception area every night. Empty bins and wash linens every night.
6.2. Maintenance Schedule
Check over the treatment table/chair for any signs of wear on upholstery. Check supports on the treatment table for any signs of compromise in the framework. Check lines on the treatment table for any fraying or issues. Thorough checks must be undertaken weekly at most; a brief daily once over would also be ideal.
7. Compliance and Credibility
7.1. Infection Control Update Schedule
This schedule will be revised and updated (if required) on a quarterly basis. The next review of this schedule will be due on 21/01/2026.
7.2. Action Plan
As a sole trader, the action plan will apply to only the owner operator. It is at the request of the owner/operator that clients adhere to relevant sections of the Action Plan, as it applies to them.
7.3. Relevant Legislation
- Work Health and Safety Act 2011
- Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011
- Health Quality and Complaints Commission Act 2006
- National Code of Conduct for Health Care Workers (Queensland) 2015
8. Record Keeping and Confidentiality
8.1. Records and Databases
Incident report forms and risk assessment forms will be kept for a maximum of 7 years, according to the Privacy Act 1988. Incident reports will also be collated into a database for management.
8.2. Incident Report Procedures
Incidents will be reported as soon as possible after the event, using the incident report form. They will then be followed up if required within a week or two, depending on urgency of follow up.
Incidents will be immediately reported to management on duty, who will report it to the office management at the earliest convenience.
9. Implementation
9.1. Individuals Responsible for Implementation
Owner/operator.
9.2. Responsibilities
- Daily cleaning/maintenance of clinic and surrounding areas (such as bathroom)
- Hazard identification and risk assessment
- Personal hygiene maintenance
10. Privacy
If a client’s name or personal details are noted on incident report forms, they will be required to be stored as client files, in a locked filing cabinet, and for 7 years before being destroyed. This is to ensure clients’ privacy and confidentiality according to the Privacy Act (Cth) 1988.
Addendum A – COVID-19 and Respiratory Illness Response
Back To Life Pain Clinic has implemented ongoing measures to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses within the clinic environment.
Additional cleaning procedures remain in place, including wiping down of the reception desk, bank terminal, door handles, and other frequently touched surfaces between each client.
Clients who are unwell with any respiratory illness — including COVID-19, influenza, or cold symptoms — are asked to reschedule their appointment. Please contact us as soon as possible if you are unwell so we can find you a suitable alternative time without a cancellation fee applying.
The owner/operator continues to follow current guidance from the Department of Health Victoria and the Myotherapy Association Australia regarding infection control best practice.
Policy Updated 21/01/2025