CURRENT ISSUES IN RISK MANAGEMENT - HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATED INFECTION
Risk Management n Identification n Assessment – analyse / evaluate risk n Action - eliminate / reduce risk n Monitor and review
RISK OF HAI Exposure to micro-organisms: n Person to person spread e.g., hands n Medical devices e.g., surgical instruments n Airborne / droplet e.g, sneezing, contaminated humidifiers air conditioning n Environment e.g., contamination present floors fittings, in dust etc. n Contaminated food
RISK OF HAI Other factors: n High prevalence of micro-organism e.g., high carriage in staff or patients n Concentration of compromised patients e.g., broken skin, reduced immunity n Potential routes of transmission e.g., invasive devices
Control Measures for HAI Result from risk identification and analysis but will include: nPolicies / procedures / guidance e.g., -Infection Control -Health & Safety
Key Guidance n Handwashing n PPE n Decontamination n Sharps use n Laundry n Waste n Patient isolation n Patient personal care/hygiene n Aseptic techniques
They Look Alright To Me! The Patient!
PATIENT INFECTION RISK ASSESSMENT Part of care planning cycle Systematic process Identify patients who might develop an infection or to be source of infection Identification of hazards or risks to health Target preventative measures
INFORMATION Observation Patient Family GP Laboratory Other professionals e.g., continence advisor
Infection risk assessment/reassessment Is patient a risk to others?Is patient at increased risk? No further action Assess degree of risk No further action Plan patient’s care Protect staff, other patients & visitors Protect the patient at risk Implement care Evaluate care No Yes No Ref: Bowell 1992
What is infected? How is infection spread? What symptoms affect degree of risk? What could be contaminated? How can contamination be prevented? RISK TO OTHERS
RISK TO OTHERS ASSESSMENT TOOL Ref: Bowell 1990
POLICY GUIDANCE ? Required for consistent approach -high standard of care: -appropriate to needs; -to routine activities