Nurses Act 1991 Regulation relating to infection control standards (1995-221) [GG No 74 of 16.6.1995] (NSW)

1995—No. 221

NURSES ACT 1991—REGULATION

(Relating to infection control standards)

NEW SOUTH WALES

[Published in Gazette No. 74 of 16 June 1995]

HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, and in pursuance of the Nurses Act 1991, has been pleased to make the Regulation set forth hereunder.

ANDREW REFSHAUGE

Deputy Premier and Minister for Health.

Commencement

1. This Regulation commences on 7 July 1995.

Amendments

2. The Nurses Regulation 1992 is amended:

(a) by inserting after clause 24 the following clause: Infection control standards

24A. An accredited nurse must comply with the infection control standards set out in Schedule 2 to the extent that they apply to the nurse in the practice of nursing.

Maximum penalty: 5 penalty units.

(b) by inserting after Schedule 1 the following Schedule:

SCHEDULE 2—INFECTION CONTROL STANDARDS

(cl. 24A)

Part l—Preliminary

Definitions

1. (1) In this Schedule:

“body substance” includes any human bodily secretion or

substance other than blood;

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“invasive procedure” means any one or more of the

following:

(a) surgical entry into body tissue, cavities or organs;
(b) surgical repair of injuries;

(c) cardiac catheterisation and angiographic procedures;

(d) vaginal or Caesarean delivery or any other obstetric

procedure during which bleeding may occur;

(e)	the manipulation, cutting, or removal of any oral or
pen-oral tissue, including tooth structure, during which bleeding may occur;

“patient” includes (but is not limited to) a person who is accessing medical or health services or who is undergoing any medical or health procedure;

“sharps” means any object capable of inflicting penetrating injury, and includes hollow bore needles, suture needles, scalpel blades, wires, trocars, auto lancets, stitch cutters and broken glassware.

(2) The requirements set out in this Schedule apply to a nurse
who is assisting in performing a procedure in the same way as

they apply to a nurse who is actually performing the procedure.

Part 2—General standards applying to nurses

General precautions and aseptic techniques

2. (1) Precautions must be taken to avoid direct exposure to a
patient’s blood or other body substance. This requirement applies
regardless of whether there is any perceived risk of infection.

(2) Aseptic techniques must be used in the course of complying

with the requirements of this Schedule.

Hand and skin washing

3. ( 1) Hands must be washed and dried immediately before and after any direct patient care. This requirement does not apply in circumstances where medical treatment is required to be performed urgently and washing facilities are not readily available.

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(2) Hands or other skin surfaces that are contaminated with a patient’s blood or other body substance must be washed as soon as it is practicable to wash them.

(3) The requirement to wash and dry hands applies regardless of whether gloves are also required to be worn.
Protective gowns and aprons

4. A gown or apron made of impervious material must be worn while performing any procedure where there is a likelihood of clothing being splashed or contaminated with blood or other body substances.

Gloves

5. (1) Gloves must be worn while handling blood or other body substances.

(2) In particular, gloves must be worn:

(a)	while performing any procedure where direct contact is
anticipated with a patient’s blood or other body substance, mucous membranes or non-intact skin; and

(b) while suctioning a patient; and

(c) while handling items or surfaces that have come into

contact with blood or other body substances; and

(d) while performing an invasive procedure, venipuncture or a

finger or heel stick; and

(e) while performing any procedure where skin penetration is

anticipated.

(3) Sterile gloves must be worn if the procedure involves

contact with tissue that would be sterile under	normal
circumstances.

(4) Gloves must be changed and discarded:
(a) as soon as they are tom or punctured; and
(b) after contact with each patient.

(5) Gloves must also be changed if separate procedures are

being performed on the same patient and there is a risk of

infection from one part of the body to another.

Masks and protective eye wear

6. (1) A mask and protective eye wear must be worn while performing any procedure where there is a likelihood of splashing or splattering of blood or other body substances.

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(2) In cases where a mask is required to be worn, it must be

worn and fitted in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions.

(3) A mask must be discarded once it has been worn and it

must not be used again.
Sharps

7. (1) Sharps must not be passed by hand between a nurse and any other person. However, this requirement does not apply if, in any case involving an invasive procedure, the proper conduct of the procedure would be adversely affected.

(2) A puncture resistant tray must be used to transfer sharps. (3) A needle must not be removed from a disposable syringe for

disposal, or be purposely broken or otherwise manipulated by

hand, unless:

(a)	it is necessary to remove the needle for technical reasons; or
(b)	the nurse is performing a procedure in which the needle is required to be bent.

(4) A needle must not be bent after it is contaminated with blood or other body substances.

(5) In any case where resheathing of a needle is required:
(a) the needle must be properly recapped; and

(b) the sheath must not be held in the fingers; and

(c) either a single handed technique or forceps, or a suitable protective guard designed for the purpose, must be used.

(6) Reusable sharps must, immediately after being used, be placed in a puncture resistant container specially kept for that purpose and labelled as such.

(7) Non-reusable sharps must, immediately after being used, be
disposed of in a puncture resistant container.
Management of waste

8. ( 1) Contaminated waste must be segregated, placed in a suitable leak proof bag or container and contained at the place it is generated before being disposed of in an appropriate manner. Contaminated waste includes microbiological waste or pathological waste, or any material or item (for example, sharps, dressings or disposable linen) that is soiled or contaminated with blood or other body substances and that is likely to cause infection or injury to any person.

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(2) Splashing or contamination of skin while disposing of blood

or other body substances must be avoided as far as practicable.

Part 3—Specific standards applying to' nurses

Sterile medications and solutions

9. (1) A medication or solution may be taken from a multi-dose vial or ampoule (or other similar container) only if the medication or solution is not readily available in another form.

(2) If any medication or solution is taken from a multi-dose vial or ampoule (or other similar container), a sterile needle and syringe must be used to withdraw the contents.

(3) The needle and syringe must be discarded once the needle and syringe have been used.

(4) Precautions must be taken to ensure that the injection of contaminated material or fluid into a multi-dose vial or ampoule (or other similar container) does not happen.

Anaesthetic breathing circuits
10. (1) This clause applies in any case where an anaesthetic breathing circuit is used.

(2) If the breathing circuit uses a filter:

(a) the filter must be discarded after each patient; and

(b)	the part of the breathing circuit between the patient and the filter must be discarded, or cleaned and disinfected, after each patient; and
(c)	the part of the breathing circuit between the carbon dioxide absorber and the filter must be discarded, or be cleaned and disinfected, at the end of each procedure list.

(3) If the breathing circuit does not use a filter, the breathing circuit must be discarded, or be cleaned and disinfected, after each patient.

Invasive procedures

11. ( 1) In cases where it is technically feasible, retractors must be used for exposure and access during invasive procedures.
(2) Fingers must not be used for the purposes of an invasive
procedure to expose or increase access for the passage of a suture.

(3) Only one sharp at a time is to be placed in a sharps tray that

is being used in connection with an invasive procedure.

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Part 4—Processing of instruments and equipment

Cleaning of instruments and equipment

12. (1) Any instrument or equipment that comes into contact with intact skin must be cleaned before it is used.

(2) Any instrument or equipment that is required under this Part to be sterilised or disinfected must be cleaned before it is sterilised or disinfected.
(3) The process of cleaning must involve water, mechanical or
physical action (such as an ultrasonic cleaner) and a cleaning
agent (such as detergent or a proteolytic enzyme).

Disinfection of instruments and equipment
13. (1) Any instrument or equipment that comes into contact with non-sterile tissue (other than intact skin) must be disinfected before it is used. They may also be sterilised if they are capable of withstanding that process.
(2) The process of disinfection must involve either thermal or chemical methods. Chemical disinfection may only be used in cases where thermal methods are unsuitable.
Sterilisation of instruments and equipment
14. (1) Any instrument or equipment used to enter, or that is capable of entering, tissue that would be sterile under normal circumstances, or the vascular system of a patient, must be sterilised before it is used.
(2) The method of sterilisation must be compatible with the particular type of instrument or equipment.
(3) If the method of steam under pressure (i.e. moist heat sterilisation) is used, the recommended temperature/pressure holding time must be attained and the relevant manufacturer’s instructions must be followed.
(4) If a dry air oven is used, the instrument or equipment must be held for at least 1 hour at 160 degrees celsius and the relevant
manufacturer’s instructions must be followed.

(5) Instruments and equipment may be sterilised chemically, by using low temperature hydrogen peroxide plasma in a 75 minute cycle, or by using ethylene oxide, or by using low temperature peracetic acid in a sealed chamber in a 30 minute cycle.

1995—No. 221

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The object of this Regulation is to provide for professional standards of nursing practice relating to infection control which are required to be followed by enrolled and registered nurses. The standards are designed to enhance protection against HIV infection and other infectious diseases. The standards to be followed include general requirements (e.g. hand washing before and after direct patient care wearing gloves while handling blood or other body substances, and proper handling of sharp objects) as well as specific requirements (e.g. cleaning of anaesthetic breathing circuit filters after each use). The standards also require the cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation of instruments and equipment.

This Regulation is made under the Nurses Act 1991, including section 78 (the general regulation making power, in particular section 78 (2) (l) and (3)).