Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare for disinfection process
- Identify disinfection requirements and check for thorough cleanliness of items to be disinfected
- Classify instruments and client care equipment to Spauldings classification
- Select an appropriate disinfection process in line with identified disinfection requirements and organisation policies and procedures
- Identify workplace health and safety issues for thermal and chemical disinfection processes
- Apply thermal disinfection processes
- Assess workplace health and safety risks in the use of thermal disinfection and take appropriate action to control identified risks
- Apply parameters for thermal disinfection to selection of duration and temperature of washer-disinfector cycles
- Follow safe work practices in the thermal disinfection process and identify and report any variations from normal
- Check printouts for thermal disinfection parameters
- Complete documentation in line with organisation requirements
- Apply chemical disinfection processes
- Use the UN code, CAS code and flammability and toxicity information in MSDSs to assess risks in the use of chemical disinfection and take appropriate action to control identified risks
- Check disinfectants and disinfectant labelling for documented compliance with therapeutic goods regulations
- Follow correct methods of use in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines and relevant Australian standards and guidelines
- Complete quality assurance documentation in line with organisation requirements
- Monitor fume extraction
- Monitor disinfection processes
- Monitor chemical disinfection following manufacturer's instructions and organisation policies and procedures
- Accurately use chemical test strip indicators
- Monitor thermal disinfection and keep proof of process documentation in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
- Observe thermocouple testing of washer-disinfector temperatures
- Check thermal disinfector printouts for thermal disinfection parameters