THE GOAL OF THE INFECTION CONTROL AND PREVENTION PROGRAM

Purpose of a Risk Assessment

  • Risks are reviewed and identified at least annually and whenever significant changes occur.
  • Risks are assessed with input from, at a minimum, infection control personnel, medical staff, nursing, and leadership.
  • Risks that are identified as acquiring and transmitting infections are prioritised and documented!
  • Based on the identified risks, goals are set to minimise the possibility of transmitting infections.
  • Objectives, milestones and process measures are developed and implemented to achieve specific goals.

CARING FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE INFECTIONS AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES

  • Handling waste
  • Handling laundry
  • Handling sharps
  • Cleaning

RISK ASSESSMENT PROCESS

Step 1 – Identify hazards in the work setting, situations, particular activities

Step 2 – Identify who might be harmed and how e.g. individuals, you, your colleagues, others, visitors

Step 3 – Evaluate the risks, decide what the benefit of taking the risk is, whether existing control measures are sufficient, i.e. to reduce the risks

Step 4 – Document findings (where applicable) i.e. using your work setting’s documentation

Step 5 – Review and where necessary update and when required (Risks are reviewed when there are any changes to hazards and risk)

QUANTITATIVE RISK ASSESSMENT

  • Benchmark
  • High risk
  • High Volume
  • Potential negative outcome
  • National Initiative

IMPORTANCE OF RISK ASSESSMENT

  • Risk assessment is essential to identify risks of infections and prevent them or reduce them to minimise the harm they may cause.
  • It is essential for protecting individuals, you and others from harm and becoming unwell.
  • It enables you to fulfil your duty of care. Not carrying out a risk assessment would mean that you would not be doing your utmost to protect individuals and others from danger and harm, which is a form of abuse, i.e., neglect.
  • It enables you to comply with legal requirements.
  • It enables you to comply with your employer’s agreed ways of working.