Infection control knowledge and compliance is essential for all podiatrists and practice managers, and one of the most important aspects is having documented procedures in your workplace.

This practical course highlights key aspects of infection control according to the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) in collaboration with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare, in their Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare (2019). It provides the essential information required to understand and meet infection control requirements for Australian podiatrists, with a focus on private practice.

The course covers parts one and two of the NHMRC Guidelines, which the Podiatry Board of Australia adopts as its infection control guidelines, and requires all podiatrists to adhere to.

Specifically, the course provides detailed information in plain language on the nine standard precautions:

1. Hand hygiene.  We explain the five moments of hand hygiene and include posters from the WHO that you can display in the clinic.  You'll learn when alcohol hand cleaning is appropriate, and when detergent should be used.
2. Personal protective equipment (PPE). This module describes the various components of PPE, and when each should be used, using examples typical of most podiatry clinics, and includes detailed instructions on the correct donning and doffing of PPE.
3. Use of sharps.  With reference to Australian Standard 23907:2023, we highlight the importance of safe use and disposal of sharps, including the need to use an engineered safety device, and suggested procedures for managing a sharps injury.  This section consists of a 25 minute presentation by Dr Michael Sinnott, from Staff and Patient Safety.
4. Cleaning. This section describes the use of surface barriers and management of spills, and a sample cleaning schedule that can be adapted and included in your procedures manual.
5. Reprocessing of instruments.  We explain the important elements of the new sterilisation standard - AS 5369:2023, including pre-cleaning, transportation, cleaning, sterilisation and storage.  You'll gain a thorough understanding of the required tracking and tracing process, and our sample log-book will support you in this.
6. Respiratory hygiene.  Learn how to best ensure respiratory hygiene for clinicians and patients.
7. Aseptic technique.  In this section we explain the five principles underpinning aseptic technique, and explore the ANNT (aseptic no-touch technique) in detail.
8. Waste management.  You'll gain a deeper understanding of AS 3816:2018 and the relevant state legislation that determines correct waste management in your area.
9. Handling of linen.  The practicalities of re-usable versus disposable linen are explored, and the laundering requirements made clear.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion, delegates will be able to:

• Describe the risk management process and provide examples as to its application in podiatry practice
• Explain the importance of involving patients and their carers in infection control practices
• Summarise the key requirements of each of the nine standard precautions in the context of a podiatry clinic
• List the key elements of the recently introduced standard AS5369:2023 for instrument re-processing
• Generate a procedures manual for your clinic

The course is self-paced with an expected duration of ten hours.  Access is for 12 months.

Purchase of this course includes access for two people - you and your practice manager or co-owner.