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Reprocessing of Items used in Medicating of clients

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  • #68245
    Eden, Keryn (DFC)
    Participant

    Author:
    Eden, Keryn (DFC)

    Email:
    Keryn.Eden@DFC.SA.GOV.AU

    Organisation:

    State:

    Good afternoon all,

    Looking for advice.

    I have had a query from the Aged Care area of our facilities, who state that the Aged Care Accreditor/Auditor has raised concerns about the washing on the ward of plastic (non-disposable) feeder cups and metal teaspoons used in the mixing and administration of medications to the clients.
    The auditor insists that these items should be assigned to the dishwasher – the kitchens refuse them due to incidents of them being delivered with medications still contained therein and their inability to guarantee their return.

    There is insistence that we should then use plastic disposable items. Unfortunately we have very real concerns, and a history, of clients attempting to consume such items or receiving oral injury from biting same.

    Is there any issue with the staff washing the items in hot water and detergent in the medicating rooms following every use and prior to reuse?

    Is anyone aware of any Infection Control or OHS concern with regard to this practice?

    Keryn Eden
    Occupational Health/Infection Control Nurse
    Disability SA – Highgate Park
    103 Fisher Street
    FULLARTON SA 5063

    Wash Wipe Cover ……. Don’t Infect Another
    Ph. (08) 8372 1421
    E-Mail – Keryn.Eden@dfc.sa.gov.au

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    #68246
    GREENOUGH John R (SVHM)
    Participant

    Author:
    GREENOUGH John R (SVHM)

    Email:
    John.GREENOUGH@SVHM.ORG.AU

    Organisation:

    State:

    Hi Keryn,
    Processing through the dishwasher in the kitchen would be my recommendation. I do not understand what the “system” problem is with the kitchen processing these items and returning them. We process our feeder cups and spoons in the dishwasher at our facilities.

    John Greenough
    Infection Control Consultant
    St. Vincent’s Health
    PO Box 2900
    Fitzroy 3065
    Telephone:
    SVH (03) 9288 2020
    SGHS (03) 9816 0632

    Good afternoon all,

    Looking for advice.

    I have had a query from the Aged Care area of our facilities, who state that the Aged Care Accreditor/Auditor has raised concerns about the washing on the ward of plastic (non-disposable) feeder cups and metal teaspoons used in the mixing and administration of medications to the clients.
    The auditor insists that these items should be assigned to the dishwasher – the kitchens refuse them due to incidents of them being delivered with medications still contained therein and their inability to guarantee their return.

    There is insistence that we should then use plastic disposable items. Unfortunately we have very real concerns, and a history, of clients attempting to consume such items or receiving oral injury from biting same.

    Is there any issue with the staff washing the items in hot water and detergent in the medicating rooms following every use and prior to reuse?

    Is anyone aware of any Infection Control or OHS concern with regard to this practice?

    Keryn Eden
    Occupational Health/Infection Control Nurse
    Disability SA – Highgate Park
    103 Fisher Street
    FULLARTON SA 5063
    Wash Wipe Cover ……. Don’t Infect Another
    Ph. (08) 8372 1421
    E-Mail – Keryn.Eden@dfc.sa.gov.au

    This email may contain confidential information, which may be legally privileged. Only the intended recipient(s) may access, use, distribute or copy this email. If this email is received in error, please inform the sender by return email and delete the original. If there are doubts about the validity of this message please contact the sender by telephone. It is the recipient’s responsibility to check the email and any attached files for viruses.

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    #68247
    Chris Hunt
    Participant

    Author:
    Chris Hunt

    Email:
    cdh@WAY.ELDERCARE.NET.AU

    Organisation:

    State:

    Hi Keryn
    I agree with John. If reusable medication cups and other items are to be used they should be reprocessed via the dishwasher to ensure they are done properly, like any other utensils and crockery. At some of our sites the practice was for staff to wash these items in the nurses station or medication room, resulting in an inadequate, unregulated process and stuff left drying on paper towels etc. Very hit and miss, very time consuming and inefficient. I suggest you persist with getting them done in the kitchen, and work out the issues with the kitchen staff as they arise.
    Cheers
    Chris
    Chris Hunt
    Business Improvement Specialist
    Eldercare Incorporated
    251 Young St
    Wayville SA 5034
    W: 8291 1045
    M: 0402 243 899
    F: 8272 2800
    E: cdh@way.eldercare.net.au

    Good afternoon all,
    Looking for advice.
    I have had a query from the Aged Care area of our facilities, who state that the Aged Care Accreditor/Auditor has raised concerns about the washing on the ward of plastic (non-disposable) feeder cups and metal teaspoons used in the mixing and administration of medications to the clients.
    The auditor insists that these items should be assigned to the dishwasher the kitchens refuse them due to incidents of them being delivered with medications still contained therein and their inability to guarantee their return.
    There is insistence that we should then use plastic disposable items. Unfortunately we have very real concerns, and a history, of clients attempting to consume such items or receiving oral injury from biting same.
    Is there any issue with the staff washing the items in hot water and detergent in the medicating rooms following every use and prior to reuse?
    Is anyone aware of any Infection Control or OHS concern with regard to this practice?
    Keryn Eden
    Occupational Health/Infection Control Nurse
    Disability SA – Highgate Park
    103 Fisher Street
    FULLARTON SA 5063
    Wash Wipe Cover ……. Don’t Infect Another
    Ph. (08) 8372 1421
    E-Mail – Keryn.Eden@dfc.sa.gov.au

    This email may contain confidential information, which may be legally privileged. Only the intended recipient(s) may access, use, distribute or copy this email. If this email is received in error, please inform the sender by return email and delete the original. If there are doubts about the validity of this message please contact the sender by telephone. It is the recipient’s responsibility to check the email and any attached files for viruses.

    Messages posted to this list are solely the opinion of the authors, and do not represent the opinion of AICA. Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required. Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to aicalist@aicalist.org.au To send a message to the list administrator send an email to aicalist-request@aicalist.org.au. You can unsubscribe from this list be sending ‘signoff aicalist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au

    Messages posted to this list are solely the opinion of the authors, and do not represent the opinion of AICA.
    Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.
    Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to aicalist@aicalist.org.au
    To send a message to the list administrator send an email to aicalist-request@aicalist.org.au.
    You can unsubscribe from this list be sending ‘signoff aicalist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au

Viewing 3 posts - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
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