Date: 04.10.10 INFECTIOUS DISEASE/ILLNESS POLICY:
Rational:
Infectious diseases, especially notifiable ones, are a threat to the community, and place the adults & children who work within the Centre environment at risk. No adult or child within the Centre environment should be put at unnecessary risk.
Procedures:
- Any adult or child suffering from an infectious disease as listed by the health department will be excluded from the Centre, (displayed above paint sink)
- Confidentiality will apply unless for safety purposes it is deemed necessary to contact/inform other parties of relevant details, names will not be used,
In the case of a serious illness taken on the premises:(the following steps to be taken):
- teaching staff will act with urgency,
- necessary medication (with permission) will be provided, (use of booklet)
- immediate contact made with family/whanau,
- the affected person will be isolated with appropriate supervision (isolation p)
- in the case of a notifiable disease, authorities will be notified in consultation,
In the case of a minor illness: (the following steps will be taken):
- safe isolation (refer to the isolation policy)
- contact made to family/whanau,
Re-occurring health and welfare problems:
- to be observed & recorded, (in consultation with family, & health authorities)
Practices:
Health risks minimised by:
- hand washing before food handling, after toileting, after nose wipes, before & after administering first aid,
- separate hand towels used or use of the valet towel service to dry hands,
- disposable gloves used in food handling, nappy changing, first aid administering, followed with disposal of used gloves,
- regular daily cleaning by the cleaning staff (refer to the job description)
- plastic toys for U2 children washed in the dish washer weekly,
- disinfectant used in food spillages, spillage of blood/faeces,
- changing pads (disinfectant) before & after use,
- separate cloths used for different jobs in the centre (cultural safety policy),
- all bedding will be separate for individual children’s use, and washed weekly or as appropriate; the Centre use the valet service to ensure hygienic practices with all bedding,
- 24-48hours exclusion from Centre after last symptoms of illness are no longer.
- All families/parents are to abide by Centre management decisions according to above policy, and in negotiation with Health authorities.
Aim:
To protect all peoples entering the Aroha Early Learning Centre by:
- Provision of information on infectious diseases,
- Providing guidelines and procedures for recognising and dealing with infectious and notifiable diseases. Next review date- 2012