The Commission is now operating in accordance with the Caretaker Conventions pending the outcome of the 2025 federal election.

Action 3.14

Clean and safe environment

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Action 3.14 states

The health service organisation has processes to evaluate and respond to infection risks for:

  1. New and existing equipment, devices and products used in the organisation
  2. Clinical and non-clinical areas, and workplace amenity areas
  3. Maintenance, repair and upgrade of buildings, equipment, furnishings and fittings
  4. Handling, transporting and storing linen
  5. Novel infections, and risks identified as part of a public health response or pandemic planning

Intent

The health service organisation minimises infection risks to patients and the workforce from equipment, device, product and environmental hazards.

Reflective questions

  • Is there an overarching policy or guidelines for the procurement and introduction of new procedures and technology, which require new equipment, devices or products?
  • What systems are used to ensure infection control risks are assessed for new capital or minor works, furniture and furnishings?
  • How are infection risks for new and existing equipment, devices and products determined?
  • Does the organisation have a preventative maintenance program in place?
  • Does the organisation have policy and plans in place to respond to novel infections, local outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics?
  • How does to the organisation evaluate and respond to infection risks associated with novel infections?
  • How does to the organisation evaluate and respond to infection risks associated with public health response or pandemic activities?
  • What action has been taken to ensure equipment/devices are cleaned and maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions?
  • How does the organisation determine if linen supplies and laundering comply with Standard AS/NZS 4146: 2000 Laundry Practice?
  • If a contractor supplies reusable linen, how is this segregated (clean from dirty) and transported?

Examples of evidence

  • Public health response, pandemic and/or outbreak management plan
  • Policy documents for evaluating and responding to the risks associated with linen, equipment, devices, products, buildings, furnishings and fittings in both clinical and non-clinical areas
  • Policy and procedures for reporting unsatisfactory practices by contracted staff or outsourced services (e.g. cleaning, reprocessing, laundry and linen management, equipment maintenance servicing) in both clinical and non-clinical areas
  • Relevant documentation from committees and other meetings where practices such as linen, cleaning, equipment, devices, products, buildings, furnishings and fittings are reviewed and discussed
  • Organisation's preventative maintenance plan in both clinical and non-clinical areas  
  • Commissioning reports for new or refurbished buildings
  • Records of business decision-making about repairs and upgrades to buildings, equipment, furnishings and fittings.
  • Maintenance schedules for buildings, equipment, furnishings and fittings in both clinical and non-clinical areas
  • Risk assessment and risk management plans for construction or refurbishment
  • Audit results of environmental cleaning and handling, transporting and storage of linen
  • Contracts with contractors that outline responsibilities for minimising infection risks in both clinical and non-clinical areas
  • Evaluation processes for the procurement and introduction of new devices or pieces of equipment (i.e. evaluation form, minutes of meetings, infection prevention and control considerations)
  • Audit results of compliance with the maintenance schedules for buildings, equipment, furnishings and fittings in both clinical and non-clinical areas

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